Proton stays above industry trend with 40.9% growth

Quick look

• Proton outperformed the industry trend with a 40.9% YTD growth, securing a 26.4% projected market share after the first 4 months of 2026.

• The e.MAS sub-brand led the BEV/PHEV segments with 3,420 units, signaling a strong shift in Malaysian consumer acceptance of electric vehicles.

While general market trends remain conservative, Proton continues to move forward at a more assertive pace. While the Total Industry Volume (TIV) of new vehicle sales for the Malaysian automotive sector grew by an estimated 17.7% in April compared to the previous year, the cumulative year-to-date (YTD) market growth stands at a modest 1.8%.

The Malaysian brand, on the other hand, reports a 40.9% rise compared to the same period in 2025, with 18,156 units delivered in the month and increasing its cumulative 4-month total to 67,298 units.

Proton’s internal data indicates that its accelerated sales pace has resulted in a projected YTD market share of 26.4%. For the month of April specifically, the company’s share of the domestic market is expected to be 25%, maintaining its position as the leading brand in the local market.

Keeping it classic
The evergreen Saga remains the primary volume contributor for Proton. After facing supply chain constraints in February and March, the model saw a 50.9% month-on-month recovery in April with 8,207 units sold. This brings its 4-month cumulative total to 29,977 units, representing a 42.8% increase over last year’s figures.

In the C-segment sedan category, the updated S70 with a new 1.5-litre turbocharged i-GT powertrain and revised exterior styling achieved its highest monthly volume to date with 2,377 units.

SUV momentum
The SUV range showed consistent movement, as always, with 2,603 units of the X50 delivered in April. To date, deliveries of the model nationwide have reached 10,174 units for 2026, retaining its status as a volume leader in the segment.

Further up the range, the D-segment X90 experienced a notable increase in registrations, with April sales increasing by 43% to 462 units. This performance reflects a 28.1% improvement over the previous year, marking the model’s strongest monthly showing since late 2023.

The electric shift
The Proton e.MAS sub-brand, which handles the company’s battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) offerings, reached a combined monthly total of 3,420 units. The e.MAS 5 continued to lead the entire BEV segment with 1,771 units in April, totalling 8,473 units for the year.

In the PHEV segment, 1,013 Malaysians became owners of the e.MAS 7 PHEV in its second full month of availability. PRO-NET, the subsidiary managing Proton e.MAS, sees this as an indication of growing consumer acceptance of ‘bridge technologies’ between traditional combustion engines and full electrification.

Test-drives to bookings
The acceptance of electrified powertrains was evident at the recent Penang Autoshow 2026 where Proton e.MAS saw encouraging on-ground engagement, with test drives translating into bookings at a high rate, supported by a healthy pipeline of qualified leads.

“What we saw in Penang is a clear shift in behaviour. More Malaysians are not just exploring EVs — they are making the decision to own one. This reflects a growing shift among Malaysian consumers from initial curiosity to actual commitment towards EV ownership,” said Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer of PRO-NET.

Looking overseas
Beyond the home market, Proton is currently prioritizing its export business. It aims to diversify its revenue streams as it prepares for further model introductions in the second half of the year.

Test-drive an electrified Proton e.MAS and you could win a gold bar!