Malaysia 2000-2001: Proton Wira holds off Perodua Kancil, 9 local nameplates in Top 10 in record market

The Proton Wira remains the most popular vehicle in Malaysia.

In 2000, Malaysia continues its recovery with new car sales up 18.8% in 2000 to 343.350. Finally, the two local carmakers let go a tiny bit of their hold on their national market: Proton (+14.9%) drops its share slightly to 52.1% while Perodua (+17.4%) edges down to 28.2%, still adding up to a mammoth 80.3% of the market vs. 82.5% last year. Toyota (+38.1%) is back above 5% share at 5.5% followed by Nissan (+38.9%) and even though Ford (+93.5%) jumps up 3 spots to #5, the Top 4 carmakers are the only ones above 2% share.

Model-wise, the Proton Wira (+23.4%) gets some breathing space from the Perodua Kancil (+12.7%) now 13.000 units below, while the Proton Saga (-12.1%) continues to fall. The Perodua Kembara (-16.5%), Proton Perdana (+181.7%), new Proton Waja and Proton Satria (-4.8%) mean the Top 7 is 100% Malaysian for the first time in history. The new Perodua Kenari (#9) makes it 8 in the Top 10, also a record. The only foreigners in the Top 10 are the Toyota Unser (+48.8%) and Nissan Vanette (+76.3%).

In 2001, the Malaysian new car market completes its recovery with a 16% year-on-year gain leading to a new all-time record volume at 398.337 registrations. Proton (+17.1%) edges past the market growth to improve its share to 52.6% while Perodua (+14%) is panting slightly to 27.7%. Toyota (+19.6%) and Nissan (+17.6%) remain the only other carmaker above 2% share in a very concentrated market.

The Proton Wira (-1.8%) finally drops, but its direct follower the Perodua Kancil (-1.5%) also, remaining roughly 13.000 units below. The Proton Waja (+400.4%) is up 5-fold for its first full year in market, landing on the podium and knocking down the Proton Saga (-10%) and Perodua Kembara (+13.6%). Strikingly, the Toyota Unser (+48.3%) is the only foreigner in the Top 10, up 2 spots to #6. The new Perodua Kelisa, Kenari (+32%), Proton Perdana (-25.6%) and Satria (-26%) make it a record 9 Malaysian nameplates in the national Top 10.

Previous year: Malaysia 1999: Proton and Perodua hold record 82.5% share in market bouncing back up 75.8%

Full Year 2000 and 2001 Top 30 All-brands and Top 135 All-models vs. Full previous year figures below.