Proton Q1 2026 sales hit 22-year high, e.MAS 5 leads EV charge, X90 and S70 gain momentum

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton wrapped up March 2026 with another strong month, pushing its first-quarter tally to the brand’s best Q1 result in 22 years.

The national carmaker sold 15,706 vehicles in March, covering its ICE, EV and PHEV models. That is 15.4% higher than February and 12.8% ahead of March last year. For the first three months of 2026, Proton’s total stands at 49,140 units, up 40.1% year-on-year.

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That performance stands out even more against the broader market backdrop. While Proton is gaining ground, Malaysia’s Total Industry Volume (TIV) is estimated to have slipped by 4.9% over the same period.

Based on those numbers, Proton’s market share for March is projected at 25.1%, while its year-to-date share is forecast at 27.4%, its strongest showing since 2017.

e.MAS line-up gives Proton fresh momentum

A big part of that growth is coming from Proton’s electrified range.

After ending 2025 as the country’s second best-selling EV brand, Proton e.MAS has started 2026 on a much stronger footing, helped by the arrival of the Proton e.MAS 5 and the recently launched Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV.

In March alone, Proton sold 3,023 e.MAS vehicles. The biggest contributor was the e.MAS 5, which accounted for 2,071 units. That brings its Q1 total to 6,701 units, enough to make it the best-selling EV model in Malaysia so far this year.

The newly launched Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV also made an immediate impact. March was its first full month on sale, and it delivered 646 units, a solid start for Proton’s new plug-in hybrid offering. As for the Proton e.MAS 7 EV, it continued to build momentum too, with 306 units sold in March, marking its second straight month of growth.

“We are humbled by the warm reception Malaysians have given Proton e.MAS since the brand was launched in 2024. Our community outreach programme to expose Malaysians to EV technology and our products as well as build trust in our efforts to support customers with a dealer comprehensive network and easily accessible charging infrastructure are now paying dividends. The proof is in the sales numbers achieved and our target is to make Proton e.MAS the number one new energy vehicle brand in 2026.”

New ICE models are also lifting the numbers

While Proton’s electrified range is clearly doing the heavy lifting in the new energy space, its refreshed ICE line-up is also showing signs of a proper rebound.

With three new model launches in Q1, Proton has given its conventional range a substantial update, bringing in newer engines, more tech and a stronger value proposition across key segments.

The Proton S70, introduced in February, appears to be finding its footing. Positioned as a sporty yet practical sedan for younger buyers and small families, it posted 2,254 units in March, its best monthly result since February 2024. That was enough for it to retain its position as the best-selling C-segment sedan, and Proton also pointed out that the S70 outsold some smaller B-segment sedan rivals in the same month.

The Proton X90, launched during Ramadan and marketed as a “True 7-seater comfort SUV”, also had a much-needed bounce in March. Despite not having a full month of sales working in its favour, the model still managed 323 units, its strongest monthly result in over a year. That was enough to place it as the best-selling 7-seater D-segment SUV for the month. More importantly, Proton is already signalling stronger volume ahead, with booking numbers indicating there is more room for the X90 to grow in the coming months.

Then there is the Proton Saga, which continues to be the backbone of the brand’s ICE business. First launched in its latest form in November 2025, the sedan recorded 5,438 units in March, bringing its Q1 total to 21,770 units. Averaged out, that works out to more than 7,256 units a month, and represents a 38% increase over the same period last year.

The Proton X50 remains another key pillar. Proton sold 3,265 units in March, enough to keep it firmly on top of the B-segment SUV class. Its Q1 total now sits at 7,571 units, up 48% over 2025.

Launches are translating into real volume

Taken together, the numbers suggest Proton’s recent launches are not just generating headlines, they are already converting into actual sales.

The e.MAS 5 has quickly become the volume driver of Proton’s EV push, the e.MAS 7 PHEV has started strongly right out of the gate, the S70 is showing fresh momentum, and the X90 appears to be recovering after a quieter spell. On the ICE side, long-established nameplates like the Saga and X50 are still doing the bulk of the work, but the newer arrivals are starting to make the line-up feel more balanced.

“PROTON’s Q1 sales performance is the result of the investments the company has put into its technology, dealer network and after sales service, which in turn has built customer confidence in our products and services. These investments also include various localisation and assembly programmes that results in better value for customers while creating a multiplier effect for the country’s automotive ecosystem.

“Our ICE models are undergoing a sales resurgence across the board, but PROTON remains mindful we also need to consider the needs of car buyers if fuel prices increase. That is why our updated models are more fuel efficient and lower maintenance, and through Proton e.MAS, we offer buyers an easy path to EV and PHEV technology should they want to make the switch,” said Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, Chief Executive Officer, Proton EDAR.

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