Proton has achieved another milestone by surpassing the 100,000-unit mark in sales for the fifth consecutive year. This milestone was reached in August, a month earlier than in the previous year. With 13,955 units delivered in the same month, the year-to-date (YTD) sales for 2023 now stand at 104,602 units, which is a significant increase of 19.6% or 17,121 units compared to the first eight months of the previous year.
In August, the total industry volume (TIV) is estimated to be at 74,200 units, giving Proton a market share projection of 18.8% for the month and a YTD market share figure of 20.8%. The company’s volume growth outpaces the TIV, which is estimated to be at 12.2% for 2023.
Proton continued its impressive sales trend in July with 13,326 (domestic + export) units sold, building on a solid first half of 2023. The amount represents a 16.1% rise over July 2022 and contributes to year-to-date (YTD) sales of 90,647 units, the company’s first breach of the 90,000-unit threshold since 2012 and a 26.6% increase over the prior year. Market share for July is anticipated to be 20.5%, bringing the year-to-date market share to 21%.
The success of Proton is set against a background of rising vehicle sales, with total industry volume (TIV) for July predicted to reach 64,864 units. This raises the monthly total by 29.9% over the corresponding month in 2022 and raises the year total by 12.9%. As a result, Proton’s sales performance through July of this year had been 14% better than the industry average.
Pro-Net, a subsidiary of Proton, has just introduced the smart #1 into the electric vehicle (EV) market in Malaysia. The all-electric compact SUV, which is a touch bigger than the smart ForFour, is the result of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Geely.
The smart #1 actually made its global debut in April 2022 where during the second half of 2022, China, Europe, and the UK were some of the first places to receive it.
Prior to its launch here in Malaysia, we had the opportunity to actually test it out. The right-hand drive Premium, left-hand drive Premium (China spec) and the Brabus variant.
The design of the smart #1, which is a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. It was designed by the Germans and is built on Geely’s modular Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA), which also serves as the foundation for vehicles like the Lotus Eletre, Volvo EX30, and Zeekr 001.
The smart #1 will only be available as a rear-wheel-drive model, with a single motor generating 272PS and 343Nm of torque. It does 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and has a driving range of 440km WLTP cycle. There are three available drive modes: eco, comfort and sport. However, these are the Premium variant specs.
The Brabus variant, on the other hand, puts out 428PS and 584Nm of torque. It does 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds! It has dual motors providing a four-wheel drive configuration. However, due to it having this much power, the driving range is reduced to 400km. There are four available drive modes: eco, comfort, sport and Brabus. Both variants are limited to a top speed of 180km/h.
Another feature included in the Brabus trim is the engine imitation sound that plays through the speakers. A Brabus engine sound and a V8 engine sound.
In addition, the Brabus variant has three additional trims to choose from: Pure+, Pro+ and Premium+.
It features a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 66kWh. The 10%-80% charge time is three hours with 22kW AC charging and less than 30 minutes with 150kW DC charging.
The exterior of the smart #1 Premium variant features an active grille shutter, flat-faced 19-inch wheels, and frameless doors and has a drag coefficient of just 0.29.
The Brabus trim, however, gets twin nostrils as a styling element, a sportier front bumper, an aggressive grille, a rear spoiler, 19-inch dynamo-styled alloy wheels and a two-tone paint scheme with red accents.
The central infotainment screen, which is 12.8 inches in size regardless of which variant you choose, controls almost everything. It features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155 chipset, a CPU and chipset designed for the gaming industry, and its home screen is filled with graphics and information.
Unlike the variants available in China, we get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Many important features of the system are hidden in submenus; for example, turning off the system’s excessively loud fake engine noise will lead you deep into the system, while adjusting your mirrors requires tapping the screen and then repeatedly pressing the buttons on the steering wheel.
It also has a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a ten-inch heads-up display, a panoramic glass roof and 13-speaker Beats sound system.
The majority of the materials are soft to the touch, especially the Alcantara swaths in the Brabus model. Also, note that Smart chose a combination of real and synthetic leather and not vegan alternatives here.
The Brabus gets a little extra on the interior as well with a black-themed interior, Alcantara/leather-wrapped steering wheel, microfiber suede seats, headrests with the Brabus logo in red stitching and alloy pedals. The booth space measures in at 323L but can be expanded to 986L while the frunk has a 15L available space.
Another neat little feature is that the front grille lights up and will follow the beat of the music that is playing in the car at the time.
The smart #1 has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The safety features include:
Seven airbags
Full complement of driver assistance features
Autonomous emergency braking
Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go
Lane centring assist
Lane change assist
Lane keep assist
Blind spot monitoring
Keshy’s Driving Notes: On top of the preview session that Timothy just touched on, we also got to drive the smart #1 around the Proton test track at the Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam.
Simply put, the #1 drives like any other EV, it is silent, power delivery is instantaneous and there’s pretty much nothing that truly makes it stand out from the rest.
Except for the fact that the #1 has a steering feel that I really like.
EV’s tend to feel dull and disconnect the driver from what happens at ground level with the tyres. But in the #1, there’s a good feel for what the tyres were doing, and the steering wheel feels chatty. And this gave me the confidence I needed to barge into the oval track (which goes up to a 20 degree banking, NASCAR like) at about 110-120km/h.
I have to say that this is one of the my favourite EV’s at the moment, but not only from a driving perspective.
But before I tell you about what else I like about the #1, I have to say that the Brabus model feels like a proper rocket. But that artificial sound it makes is a little too fake, and too loud. So loud, that it reaches a point where it started to hurt my ear drums. And I wasn’t the only one complaining about it. Good thing that it can be turned off.
So onto what I like about it. I like it’s size.
I believe EV’s should be small because EV’s are meant to be practical urban commuters. And the #1 is exactly that. It is perfectly sized. Slightly bigger than a MINI, perhaps about the size of a Countryman. Inside, there’s a lot of hints of Mercedes-Benz, such as the buttons, but we are not allowed to tell you much about the interior due to an ongoing embargo.
So if you are considering an EV, I would tell you to wait until smart Malaysia introduces the pricing because the #1 could just be the EV for you. It is for me at least.
Proton has established formal strategic alliances with three reputable E-Bidding Companies (EBC) to improve the way that trade-in vehicles are disposed of for customers. The company is certain it has made great progress towards providing a quicker and more effective means for clients to own new cars by working with EBCs myTukar, MUV, and Carsome.
It has become clear that customers need a better option to trade in and get rid of their old cars as sales volume keeps increasing. Customers may expect a variety of advantages from these collaborations, including improved convenience, reliability, competitive trade-in values, pricing transparency, safe payment and ownership transfer, daily auctions, quicker disposal, and thorough inspections.
Customers will be able to send their vehicles for auction through an easy-to-use online portal thanks to Proton’s relationship with EBCs. Customers might save time and effort by not having to visit numerous dealerships or haggle with potential buyers as a result.
Customers will be able to earn competitive trade-in values for their cars through an honest and open auction system. Consumers receive a flawless experience thanks to the clear pricing approach, which guarantees that consumers can make knowledgeable decisions during the trade-in process. The payment and ownership transfer processes are also accelerated to reduce any potential delays or issues.
Proton achieved a productive first half of 2023 by attaining its highest overall sales figures since 2012. With 14,351 units sold in June (domestic + export), total sales have reached 77,321 units, an increase of 28.6% over the same month last year and more than three times faster than the industry’s overall sales growth.
Total industry volume (TIV) is predicted to be 61,900 units in June, translating to a market share for Proton of 23.2%. Year-to-date market share has climbed once more to 21.3%, an increase of 3.2% over the same period in 2022.
AAPICO Hitech Public Company Limited (Aapico) and national automaker Proton are working together to develop dies, jigs, hot stamping parts, body assembly parts, and chassis components through Aapico’s subsidiary, Advance Vehicle Engineering Global Sdn Bh (AVE Global).
Aapico is one of Thailand’s largest auto parts companies that was founded in 1996 by a Malaysian founder, Yeap Swee Chuan.
As part of the partnership, Aapico will purchase 60% of AVE Global from Proton, with Proton keeping a 40% stake in the business, which will now be known as Aapico Avee Sdn. Bhd.
As part of the cooperation, which became official on June 26, 2023, Aapico will invest RM 40 million in AVEE Global’s 20-acre facility with the intention of expanding it further to meet the rising demand for Proton vehicles as well as the needs of the entire automotive industry. Another RM100 million in investment is planned for 2024, for plant extensions and the acquisition of new machinery.
Proton today disclosed a strategic partnership with Affin bank through the introduction of an affiliate credit card/-i aimed for Proton owners. When Proton clients use the Affin Avance Proton Affiliate Credit Card/-i to make purchases at approved locations, they receive special privileges and rewards.
The list of privileges enjoyed by cardholders includes:
Lifetime annual fee waiver.
3X AFFIN Rewards points for dining, online/e-commerce, and transactions at Proton outlets. – 1X AFFIN Rewards points for other retail transactions.
Hassle-free Overdraft/Cash line application.
0% Easy Instalment Plan for up to 24 months – 0% Interest/ Profit Rate for purchase at Proton outlets including servicing.
ACO Tech, a Proton Group firm that is also jointly owned by Altel and ECARX, today unveiled the Proton Digital Xperience (Proton DX), the nation’s first automotive digital experience hub.
Proton DX is a hub for automobile and technology lovers of all ages to congregate and be immersed in the most recent advancements in the automotive industry. It is situated in the Quill City Mall in the core of Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, it aims to pique the interest of the younger generation in the subject of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by acting as an engaging platform for STEM education.
Proton DX spans 5,275 square feet, housing a blend of interactive technology, leisure, and lifestyle elements to create a unique experiential centre.
Following a sluggish start to the second quarter in April, national automaker Proton reported a 35% increase in sales in May attributable to what it called a total industry volume (TIV) rebound.
With 62,970 units sold over the first five months of the year, the largest number of any brand in Malaysia’s automotive sales table, and a 38.9% increase over the same period last year, is the sales total. Proton’s market share is predicted to be 21.5% for the month and 20.9% for the year based on estimates that Total Industry Volume (TIV) recovered by 32.2% in May and closed at 61,600 units.
The Proton X50 arrived in the Malaysian market in October 2020, generating a great deal of excitement at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic had created a sense of gloom. It was an immediate hit and today, the X50 has ascended to the No.1 position, not just in the SUV B-segment but is now also the overall leader of the entire SUV segment.
Although many new rivals have entered the market since 2020, the X50 remains a very popular choice for SUV buyers, being offered at attractive price points in all four variants with comprehensive equipment packages. In fact, much of what is offered in the X50 – especially the more premium variants – would typically only be found in models costing much more. Hence, like the X70, the X50 has changed the value-for-money proposition and offers consumers a premium product without them having to pay a premium price.
