Proton’s sales performance in April 2025 marked a significant milestone for the national carmaker, securing a 14.7% year-on-year increase and reinforcing its hold on second place in Malaysia’s automotive sales rankings. Despite the traditionally slower sales period during festive seasons, Proton delivered 12,692 units across its domestic, export, smart and e.MAS portfolios. The company’s estimated market share now stands at 20.8%, outperforming the modest 1.8% growth of the Total Industry Volume (TIV), which reached 60,886 units for the month.
This uptrend not only highlights Proton’s resilience in a highly competitive market saturated with new players and aggressive pricing strategies, but also underscores the company’s ability to maintain customer confidence and brand relevance.
A standout achievement for the brand came from the all-electric Proton e.MAS 7, which has continued its upward trajectory since its launch in mid-December 2024. In April alone, the model recorded 863 units in combined domestic and export sales, raising its year-to-date tally to 2,716 units. This figure positions it as the best-selling electric vehicle in Malaysia and elevates the e.MAS sub-brand to second place in national EV sales, despite offering only a single model. As a result, EVs now represent 6% of Proton’s overall sales, reflecting growing public acceptance of the brand’s electrification direction.
Among internal combustion engine (ICE) offerings, the Proton X50 saw its strongest sales month of the year, reclaiming the lead in the B-segment SUV category with 2,389 units sold. Year-to-date, its sales have reached 7,506 units, surpassing its 2024 performance by 420 units.
The larger Proton X90 continued to dominate the D-segment SUV space, with 194 units sold in April contributing to a year-to-date figure of 873 units. Meanwhile, the S70 solidified its position as the top-selling C-segment sedan, recording 1,716 units in April and accumulating 6,181 units for the year thus far.
Proton’s sustained growth wasn’t limited to new models. The long-standing Proton X70 recorded 682 units sold in April, pushing its year-to-date total to 2,839 units—an increase of 44% over the same period in 2024. The ever-reliable Proton Saga continued to lead the brand’s volume with 5,213 units in April, bringing its 2025 tally close to 21,000 units. The Persona followed with 1,328 units, securing the second spot among B-segment sedans, while the Iriz sold 290 units, placing it fourth among B-segment hatchbacks.
According to Roslan Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar, the Malaysian automotive market remains vibrant despite the dip in monthly sales when compared to March, attributing this trend to the festive season. He noted that the TIV is currently about 5% behind the previous year’s record-setting pace, a respectable figure considering the double festive periods in early 2025. With more new model launches expected in the coming months, Roslan expressed confidence that the gap will narrow and market demand will rebound.
He emphasised that the focus for Proton in the first four months of the year has been on strengthening its foundation for future growth. The encouraging performance of the e.MAS 7, especially in the EV segment, has served as a key pillar in this strategy. Proton plans to introduce additional models across both EV and ICE line-ups in the near future to sustain its sales momentum.
Internationally, Proton’s export ambitions gained substantial traction in April. The company shipped 520 units abroad—the highest monthly export figure recorded in 2025. Leading the export push were the Proton X50, Saga and e.MAS 7. The latter was recently showcased at The Car Expo in Singapore, signalling Proton’s re-entry into the market it had exited in 2012. The appearance was a strategic preview ahead of the model’s official launch in the island republic.
In a related development, the locally assembled Proton X70 made its debut in Bangladesh at the end of April, further expanding the brand’s footprint in South Asia. Roslan reiterated Proton’s long-term commitment to its international markets, stating that export sales will play a critical role in sustaining future growth. He highlighted the importance of introducing EV models to these markets to align with global shifts in vehicle electrification and stay ahead of emerging demand.
With a growing EV presence, strong domestic performance and renewed export strategies, Proton appears well-positioned to build on its success in the months ahead.
