Malaysia 1994: Proton Wira takes the lead, new local brand Perodua launches with Kancil (#3)

First year at #1 for the Proton Wira in Malaysia.

Exceptional year for new car sales in Malaysia up 29.4% in 1994 to a record 196.374 units. Local leader Proton (+24.5%) can’t quite match its home market growth and loses two percentage points of share at a still ultra-dominant 56.3% share and crosses the symbolic 100.000 annual unit milestone for the first time, selling over 6 times the amount of #2 Toyota (+52.1%). Nissan (+1.2%), Honda (+19.6%) and Daihatsu (+18.5%) complete the Top 5 but one of the main automotive events in Malaysia this year is found at #6: new local brand Perodua launches with 4.5% share, finally offering some competition for Proton. If Proton was borne out of a cooperation with Mitsubishi, Perodua’s partner is Daihatsu.

Over in the models ranking, after landing directly at #2 last year after launching in May, the Proton Wira (+75.4%) easily takes the lead of the Malaysian models charts, overtaking the Proton Saga (-17.9%). The Wira is based on the 1991 Mitsubishi Lancer but sports headlights from the 1991 Mitsubishi Colt, tail lights from the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant, bumpers from the Mitsubishi Mirage and a different dashboard. Competitor brand Perodua only has one model for now: the Kancil, landing directly at #3 and making the podium 100% Malaysian. The Honda Accord (+19.5%) remains the best-selling foreigner above the Toyota Corolla (+14%), Hiace (+73.5%) and Honda Civic (+22.2%).

Previous year: Malaysia 1993: Wira joins Saga, lifts Proton share to record 58.5%

Full Year 1994 Top 22 All-brands and Top 100 All-models vs. Full Year 1993 figures below.