Proton has kicked off 2026 on a high note, recording its best first-quarter sales performance in more than two decades while the wider Malaysian automotive market shows signs of slowing down.
The national carmaker sold 15,706 vehicles in March 2026, up 15.4% from February and 12.8% higher than the same month last year. That pushes Proton’s total sales for the first three months of the year to 49,140 units — its highest Q1 tally since 2004.
What makes the achievement even more significant is the backdrop. While Proton’s year-to-date sales have surged by 40.1%, Malaysia’s Total Industry Volume (TIV) is estimated to have declined by 4.9% over the same period.
Based on those figures, Proton’s market share for March is expected to hit 25.1%, while its year-to-date share is forecast at 27.4% — its strongest position since 2017.
A major contributor to that momentum is Proton’s growing electrified portfolio. Its new energy sub-brand, Proton e.MAS, continues to gain serious traction, with March sales reaching 3,023 units. Leading the charge was the Proton e.MAS 5, which accounted for 2,071 units and has now amassed 6,701 units in Q1, making it the best-selling EV model in Malaysia so far this year.
The recently launched Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV also got off to a strong start, posting 646 units in its first full month on sale. Meanwhile, the fully electric Proton e.MAS 7 EV continued its upward trend with 306 units delivered in March.
According to PRO-NET CEO Zhang Qiang, the brand’s strong reception reflects growing public confidence in Proton’s EV strategy, which includes product awareness campaigns, a broader dealer footprint, and easier access to charging infrastructure.
Beyond electrified models, Proton’s internal combustion engine line-up is also enjoying a strong rebound.
The Proton S70 turned in one of its best performances yet with 2,254 units sold in March, marking its strongest monthly result since February 2024. The model remains the top-selling C-segment sedan in the country and even managed to outsell several B-segment rivals, underlining its growing appeal among younger buyers looking for a stylish and practical family sedan.
The Proton X90 also saw a welcome resurgence. Marketed as a true seven-seater comfort SUV, it posted 323 units in March — its best monthly result in over a year. Despite only recently being introduced during the Ramadan period, it has already emerged as the best-selling 7-seater D-segment SUV, with booking momentum suggesting stronger months ahead.
Still, it is the Proton Saga that continues to anchor the brand’s ICE range. The evergreen sedan chalked up 5,438 units in March, bringing its Q1 total to 21,770 units. That works out to an average of more than 7,200 units per month and represents a 38% improvement over the same period last year.
The Proton X50, meanwhile, remains firmly in control of the B-segment SUV space. March sales stood at 3,265 units, while its cumulative Q1 figure reached 7,571 units — a 48% jump over the same period in 2025.
Proton Edar CEO Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa said the company’s strong start to the year is the result of continued investments in product technology, dealer expansion, aftersales support, and localisation efforts.
He also noted that while demand for Proton’s ICE range is clearly strengthening, the company remains focused on evolving consumer needs — particularly in the face of potential fuel price increases.
That, he said, is why newer Proton models now place greater emphasis on fuel efficiency, lower running costs, and smoother access to EV and PHEV ownership through the Proton e.MAS line-up.
