Proton Holding Bhd has posted its third consecutive month of growth in April 2021 after selling 15,017 units, up 0.18 per cent from March.
Overall, Proton retained second position in the sales ranking with a market share of 24.4 per cent, while overall volume now stands at 47,843 units after the first four months of the year.
Proton Edar Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said April was a good month for the automotive industry and aside from Proton, several other brands also had their best month of the year so far.
Roslan said total industry volume (TIV) is estimated to be over 56,000 units as all brands are trying to fulfil sales orders before the expiry of Penjana sales tax incentives at the end of June.
“For Proton, we are continuing with efforts to meet the strong demand for our products while maintaining a high level of product quality.
“At the same time, we are focussing on improving customer service and addressing issues related to spare parts availability, which is vital as our sales volume increases.
“We estimate the situation will see significant improvement as the year progresses but we are working hard to move up that timeline,” he said.
The automaker said Proton Saga has returned to the top of the national sales chart with 5,472 units sold in April.
Although the number is a slight reduction compared to the previous month, demand for Proton’s best-seller remains healthy and ahead of the number of units supplied, it said.
Meanwhile, Proton said its sport utility vehicle (SUV) models continue to set strong sales numbers.
“The Proton X50 set yet another new high for deliveries with 3,583 units delivered in April while the Proton X70 extended its dominance in the C- segment SUV category with 2,101 units delivered.
“The combined figure of 5,684 units is the second best SUV sales month for the company and only slightly behind the record set in March,” it said.
Proton’s remaining three models also performed well and all three had their best months of 2021.
Despite strong competition in the B-segment sedan market, Proton Persona model achieved 2,266 units, enough to earn it second spot in its segment.
The Proton Exora meanwhile continued to rule the C-segment multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) class while Proton Iriz sales received a boost from strong demand for the R3 Limited Edition model that allowed it to have its best sales month since 2019.
Aside from an increase in sales, April also saw Proton hold a ground-breaking ceremony for a new stamping plant at its Tanjung Malim factory.
Roslan said the RM200 million facility is expected to become operational by the third quarter of 2022 and will allow the company to stamp out much larger pieces of body panels.
“As Proton’s sales and distribution arm, Proton Edar views the investment in the new stamping plant as a positive development.
“The benefits of improved production volumes, lower costs and increased quality will allow us to increase sales exponentially both domestically and abroad, which will drive the company towards achieving its stated long term goals,” he added. – NST ONLINE
