Proton has carried its strong momentum from the close of 2025 straight into the new year, delivering an outstanding performance in January 2026. The national carmaker recorded group sales of 19,833 units, marking its best monthly result in 15 years and underscoring a confident start to its ambition of reaching 200,000 units sold this year.

The January figure represents a sharp 35.3 percent increase compared to December 2025 and a remarkable year-on-year growth of 100 percent from the 9,918 units achieved in the same month last year. This surge comes despite mixed industry conditions, with Total Industry Volume (TIV) estimated to have risen 28.3 percent year-on-year but declining by around 28.6 percent from the record-breaking levels seen in December. Based on early estimates, Proton captured a market share of 30.6 percent in January, its highest since January 2012.

Leading the charge was the 2026 Proton Saga, which delivered a record-breaking sales month. With 10,285 units sold in January alone, the model has surpassed 19,000 units delivered since its official launch on 27 November 2025—equivalent to one car being handed over every five minutes. Booking momentum remains strong, with close to 100,000 orders placed to date, positioning the Saga as Proton’s key growth driver for the foreseeable future.

Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Proton, highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting that few automotive models globally have remained in continuous production for over four decades, let alone set new sales records after 40 years. With a Brunei launch scheduled for February and a phased expansion into other international markets, the Saga’s success story is set to continue.

Beyond its A-segment bestseller, Proton’s wider lineup also posted encouraging gains. The Proton X50 recorded sales of 2,429 units in January, representing a robust 69.3 percent year-on-year increase. The newer Proton X70 followed with 672 units sold, improving by 16.5 percent compared to 2025.

In the sedan segment, the Proton S70 continued to attract strong interest, achieving its best monthly result since May 2025. Sales of 1,604 units marked a 40.3 percent improvement, reflecting steady demand from buyers seeking a more engaging driving experience. At the top of the range, the Proton X90 also saw growth, with 252 units sold—up 24.1 percent year-on-year.

According to Abdul Rashid Musa, Proton’s strong opening to 2026 reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to refresh its model lineup with both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) offerings, while clearly communicating the technologies embedded in each model. With plans to deepen market penetration and expand local production activities, Proton aims to continue delivering competitively priced vehicles that resonate with Malaysian consumers throughout the year.