Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton) has secured its position as the second-highest automotive seller in Malaysia for September, achieving 11,269 units in sales, including both domestic and export markets.
This brings the national carmaker’s year-to-date (YTD) total sales to an impressive 112,758 units, projecting a market share of 20.1% for the month.
Despite industry-wide slowdowns, Proton is gearing up for an exciting fourth quarter with new product launches that could set it apart from the competition.
September’s Slump—But Proton Remains Strong
The overall automotive market in Malaysia faced a significant drop in sales in September.
The total industry volume (TIV) hit a 17-month low, with just 56,067 units sold—a sharp 22.2% decrease from the previous month.
However, while the industry struggled, Proton managed to soften the blow, with its sales volume decreasing less than the overall TIV reduction.
This resilience highlights the brand’s steady demand and strong market position.
The Proton X70 Makes a Triumphant Comeback
Among Proton’s successes in September, the 2025 Proton X70 model reclaimed its spot as the best-selling C-segment sports utility vehicle (SUV), with 1,466 units sold.
This marks an impressive turnaround for the SUV, reaffirming its popularity in a competitive segment.
The Saga Continues to Dominate
Proton’s top-seller remains the trusty Proton Saga, which continued its dominance with 5,162 units sold last month, ranking second in the A-segment sedan category.
Meanwhile, its sedan sibling, the Proton Persona, reported sales of 1,295 units, and the Proton Iriz had a steady performance with 345 units sold.
Looking Ahead—Proton’s Q4 Strategy
Despite the slow September sales, Proton Edar CEO Roslan Abdullah remains optimistic about the final quarter of the year.
“September is traditionally a slow month for the automotive industry, and last month was no exception. However, the reduction in Proton’s volume was considerably less than the decrease in TIV, setting the stage for a challenging but exciting final quarter,” he said.
With two refreshed SUV models and a new sedan making waves in its first full year, Proton is poised to bounce back in the coming months.
Proton’s ability to weather the industry-wide slump in September, combined with its strategic product launches, positions the brand for a strong finish to 2024.
With refreshed models ready to hit the market, the stage is set for Proton to seize greater market share and strengthen its standing in the competitive Malaysian automotive scene.
