Malaysian car manufacturer Proton Holdings Bhd’s total car sales in 2020 stood at 109,716 units, up by 8.8pc from 100,821 units sold in 2019, making it the only major automotive company to record growth in Malaysia despite losing over two months of car production and sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said in a statement.
The company sold 13,306 units in December.
The growth in 2020 was driven by increased sales of Proton Persona, Iriz, Exora, and Saga (PIES), while X50 sales surpassed expectations despite its postponed arrival, the company said.
It said that the pandemic put great strain on its business as it depends on global supply chains and the authorities had implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO) in the country. However, it quickly ramped-up production after the easing of the lockdown.
Proton’s exports in 2020 grew by 49.8pc, allowing it to evade the declining Malaysian automotive industry which was estimated to contract by 13pc in the year.
| Proton’s car sales in 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Model | Units sold |
| Saga | 46,527 |
| Persona | 23,917 |
| Exora | 5,849 |
| Iriz | 7,636 |
| X70 | 21,944 |
| X50 | 3,787 |