Malaysia May 2019: Market up 41.4%, Proton holds onto #2, hits highest volume and share in almost 4 years

Proton hits its highest volume and share in almost 4 years at home.

The Malaysia new vehicle market surges 41.4% year-on-year in May to 60.780 units, the result of sales held a year ago in the wake of a June 1 GST scrapping, with the year-to-date volume now up 12.7% to 253.808. Perodua, particularly strong in May 2018, is up just 4.4% to 37.8% share vs. 51.1% a year ago, that’s however more than enough to stay #1. After scoring its first #2 monthly finish in over 3 years last month, Proton (+159.4%) not only holds onto the #2 spot but at 10.611 sales and 17.5% of its home market,  also snaps its highest volume (and first 5-digit result) and share in almost 4 years, since July 2015 (10.867 and 18.5%).

The new X70 SUV, a rebadged Geely Boyue, is partly responsible for this resurgence. Although sales by model in Malaysia have become a tightly kept secret in recent years because of new government regulations, Proton said it sold 2.439 units of the X70, 3.912 units of the Persona/Iriz and 3.610 of the Saga in May. Volvo (+470.4%), Toyota (+237.5%), Mitsubishi (+203.2%), Peugeot (+168.6%), Volkswagen (+163.9%), Daihatsu (+139.3%), Hino (+118.5%), Hyundai (+86%), Mazda (+72.1%) and BMW (+54.6%) also post fantastic gains in the Top 20.

Previous month: Malaysia April 2019: New X70 lifts Proton up 75.3% to highest ranking at home in over 3 years

One year ago: Malaysia May 2018: Perodua breaks symbolic 50% share barrier in slow market

Full May 2019 Top 40 All-brands ranking below.