Proton records a 12.1% sales decline in June, wraps up H1 2024 at almost 74k

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton has revealed its sales numbers for June 2024, which are quite underwhelming. The national automaker sold a total of 10,999 cars (domestic and export) last month, representing a dip of 12.1% compared to the 12,522 units sold in May 2024. The total sales for the first half of the year stands at 73,696 units, which is also down by 4.9% compared to the 77,321 units delivered in H2 2023.

According to the automaker, the reason for this decline was the planned one-week plant shutdown for scheduled operations improvement activities. Despite the decrease in monthly sales, Proton managed to hold its second place in the automotive sales table with a market share of 19.1% for the month and year-to-date (YTD).

Notably, Total industry volume (TIV) for June is projected to be the lowest of the year, with an estimated 57,700 units sold, even lower than April. However, the cumulative TIV for the first half of 2024 is about 386,600 units, which is almost 20,000 more than the same period in 2023.

Let’s check out the model-wise performance -

• Proton Saga remains the brand’s best-selling car with 5,441 deliveries in June. The year-to-date figure stands at 34,838 units. It is touted as one of the best-selling vehicles in Malaysia, with average monthly sales of over 5,800 units. The Saga holds second place in the A-segment sedan category.

• Proton Persona grabbed second position in the hotly contested B-segment sedan category. A total of 1,309 Personas sold during the last month with the year-to-date figure standing at 9,753 units.
• Proton X50 regained its lead in the B-segment category, thanks to the launch of its upgraded version. The automaker sold 1,711 units in June, contributing to a year-to-date figure of 10,204 units.
• Proton S70 is another model that enjoys dominance in its category (C-segment sedan). The automaker made 1,440 deliveries in June, bringing the year-to-date figure to 10,914 units.
• Proton X70 chipped in 481 units to the total sales with the year-to-date figure now standing at 2,976 units. It is to be noted that this C-segment SUV is about to get a comprehensive update later this year.

• Proton X90 continues to maintain a steady following in the D-segment SUV market, with monthly sales of 248 units in June and year-to-date sales totalling 1,989 units.
• Proton Iriz ended the month with 369 deliveries, pushing its YTD sales to a total of 2,779 units.

“The first six months of 2024 have been a period of consolidation for PROTON as we invested in strategic moves that will benefit our future. So, while the plant shutdown resulted in a short term effect on our sales numbers, the efficiencies gained as a result of the work performed will help us to catch up in the second half of the year.

“We are also pleased to see our recent launch of the 2024 Proton X50 has been met with strong demand from the market. The model remains as the best option for those looking for a B-segment SUV and we expect a similar reaction from the market when we unveil the heavily revised 2025 Proton X70. With a new model launch from smart just around the corner and the impending arrival of the first EV model from e.MAS, the market can expect more positive developments from PROTON for the second half of the year,” said Roslan Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, Proton Edar.

Also read: Proton e.MAS EV: All you need to know