Local carmaker Proton closed its books in 2022 with a total of 141,432 cars sold globally. It is the fourth consecutive year of sales growth for the company with total sales increasing by 23.3% from 2021. It is also the highest sales number for Proton since 2013, and Proton is confident of achieving more growth in 2023.
In terms of exports, Proton saw a 79.1% year-on-year growth in 2022 with 5,406 units exported. 2022 was the year Proton returned to South Africa after 10 years. It was also the year when Proton began to assemble the Proton X70 in Pakistan.
In December 2022 alone, Proton sold 14,750 cars globally with the Proton Saga topping the charts with 5,913 units sold. Following behind the Saga was the Proton X50 with 3,764 units sold, the Persona with 2,322 units sold, the X70 with 1,787 units, the Iriz with 526 units, and the Exora with 438 units.
As for yearly sales, the Proton Saga still leads the chart with 55,878 units. It is followed by the X50 with 40,681 units, the X70 with 18,533 units, the Persona with 16,537 units, the Iriz with 5,708 units, and the Exora with 4,275 units.
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Proton estimates a market share of 19.6% in Malaysia with an estimated Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 720,000 units. Three Proton models end the year as segment leaders, namely the X50, X70, and Exora.
Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah said, “2022 was a year of achievements and missed opportunities for Proton. The effect of the floods at the end of 2021 spilled over into the first quarter of the year and ensured we began 2022 on the back foot as we collaborated with our vendors to restore parts supply.”
“Thankfully, the volume was made up over the next three quarters, but we are confident we could have achieved more and posted even better numbers if not for the disrupted start to the year. Still, Proton now has sales growth for a fourth consecutive year, and we are proud of being the only automotive company in Malaysia to achieve that from 2019 to 2022.”
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“Looking ahead towards 2023, Proton is confident of achieving more growth as we add to our range of offerings with our new model launches this year. However, we expect TIV to recede from the record volume in 2022 as deliveries for orders placed during the sales tax exemption period will be fulfilled by the end of March. Interest rates are also expected to increase again this year so it will be tough for the automotive industry to continue an upwards trajectory.”
The company says that it is now halfway through its ten-year business plan and will work to grow its export figures. Proton is confident of hitting even bigger numbers in 2023 with new models to be added to its lineup.
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