KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd ended 2022 with a fourth consecutive year of sales growth to push overall sales to their highest total since 2013.
The company closed its books with 141,432 units sold after recording 14,750 units in December, its fourth best monthly performance for the year.
Proton deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said 2022 was a year of achievements and missed opportunities.
Roslan said the effect of the floods at the end of 2021 spilled over into the first quarter of the year and ensured the company began 2022 on the back foot as it collaborated with its vendors to restore parts supply.
"Thankfully, the volume was made up over the next three quarters, but we are confident we could have achieved more and posted even better numbers if not for the disrupted start to the year.
"Still, Proton now has sales growth for a fourth consecutive year, and we are proud of being the only automotive company in Malaysia to achieve that from 2019 to 2022," he said in a statement today.
Compared to results posted in 2021, Proton said total sales had grown by 23.3 per cent despite a tough start to the year.
Its sales volume for international markets increased to 5,406 units, growing 79.1 per cent and allowing Proton to comfortably end the year as the industry's leading exporter.
"Overall, the company has retained its ranking of second in the automotive sales table with an estimated market share of 19.6 per cent.
"Total industry volume (TIV) for 2022 is estimated to have closed at over 720,000 units, a new industry high, on the back of a record setting December," it said.
According to Proton, sales for five out of six Proton models had grown in 2022 with three models ending the year as segment leaders.
Proton X50 continues to be the best-selling SUV in Malaysia and with 3,764 units sold in December, it ended the year with a new SUV annual sales record of 40,681 units.
"This is an increase of 41.4 per cent over 2021 and makes the B-segment SUV the second most voluminous model in the company's line-up," it said.
Proton said after doubling its numbers in 2021, its export sales continued to grow last year by 79.1 per cent with a closing figure of 5,406 units.
The growth was powered by increasing consistency in the shipping industry, growth in key markets such as Pakistan and the addition of South Africa to the list of export markets.
"Mirroring domestic sales, Proton Saga continues to be the most popular export model with 2,408 units sold last year. This was an increase of 31 per cent over the previous year and proves there is still a lot of sales potential for the model in export markets.
"The company's two SUV models performed even better. 1,708 units of the Proton X70 were sold in export markets, an increase of 101 per cent while a first full year of export sales saw the Proton X50 post 1,117 units, a jump of 277 per cent," it said.
Roslan said Proton was now halfway through its 10-year business plan and export sales would need to account for a growing percentage of its volume to achieve its goals.
Proton expects the TIV to recede from the record volume in 2022 as deliveries for orders placed during the sales tax exemption period will be fulfilled by the end of March.
"Interest rates are also expected to increase again this year so it will be tough for the automotive industry to continue an upwards trajectory," Roslan said.
https://www.nst.com.my/business/2023/01/867101/2022-protons-best-year-2013-amid-missed-opportunities-says-deputy-ceo
