KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd has created history as its X50 sets a new monthly sales volume record and grabs the title of best-selling vehicle in Malaysia for July.
The car maker said with 4,763 units sold in July, the X50 had retained its position as leader in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment.
"This achievement ensures Proton retains its position as the leader in the hotly contested sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment and is also the first time such a vehicle has led the overall market in sales volume," it said.
Proton deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said with its parts supply situation continuing to improve, Proton was finally able to show the true sales potential of the X50.
Roslan said the company was "immensely proud" of the model becoming the first SUV to be crowned as the best-selling vehicle in Malaysia.
"This achievement and Proton's sales leadership in other segments shows our business plan is on the right track and repays the confidence placed in the brand by buyers, investors and other stakeholders," he said in a statement.
Following its best sales month of the year in June, Proton registered 11,477 units (domestic and export) in July as the company's successful efforts to resolve parts shortage issues were dampened by delays in approvals for a few of its models.
Overall sales for the year now stand at 71,601 units, an increase of 19.7 per cent over the same period in 2021.
Proton also retains second position in the national automotive sales table with an estimated market share of 22.7 per cent for July while year-to-date (YTD) market share increased to 18.7 per cent.
Total industry volume (TIV) for July is estimated to be at 50,500 units as registration retreated to the median following the expiry of sales and service tax (SST) incentives on June 30.
According to Proton, with 380 units in July, exports for 2022 had risen to 3,102 units and surpassed the 3,018 export sales for the whole of last year.
This bolsters Proton's position as the leading vehicle exporter in the country and places the company in a strong position to help improve Malaysia's trade balance in the future.
"Proton Saga, Proton X70 and Proton X50 remain as the leading export models with the latter achieving a new export sales high of 126 units," it said.
Roslan said the easing of restrictions in global trade had been a major boost for Proton's export division.
With five months to go, he said Proton was on target for yet another year of double-digit percentage growth.