Hips don’t lie, Shakira once said. Well, so do the numbers, and the V-shaped chart above makes it clear what impact marrying Geely has had on Proton’s sales. Everyone here who is yet to find the right life partner, here is your inspiration.
In 2010, the national automaker sold 153,041 cars to gain a 26% market share, but after that sales would decline every year for the next eight years. What an incredibly long and painful slide, especially as compatriot Perodua, with only four models, went from strength to strength.
By comparison, Proton sold no fewer than eleven models in that period, with technology from Mitsubishi (Inspira), Honda (Perdana), Suzuki (Ertiga), Renault (Savvy) and itself (Satria Neo, Preve, Suprima S, PIES). There were hatchbacks, sedans and MPVs from segments A to D – but no SUVs.
It got so bad that in 2014, non-nationals overtook nationals for the first time by taking 53% of the market, and they stayed at the top for another four years!
Geely officially entered in 2017, and during the transition period there was a 15-year low of 64,744 sales in 2018 (just 11% market share), but at the end of that year Proton’s first SUV was launched – the X70 – and the turnaround was difficult, fast and sharp.
In 2019, Proton posted a fantastic 56% year-on-year jump to 100,821 units, helping the national team regain the lion’s share of non-nationals. Since then it’s only gone up, except for a slight hiccup in 2024. Last year, Proton changed out 157,976 cars, ultimately bringing it back to 2010 levels. Onwards and upwards!
ADVERTISEMENT: Drive the Proton model of your dreams. Leave your details and Proton PJ will contact you.
Do you want to sell your car? Sell it with Auto.
#Proton #sales #rebounded #Geely #tieup #alltime #15year #high #paultan.org