KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd recorded sales of 21,624 units in October, its second-highest monthly performance this year and its strongest start to the fourth quarter since 2005.

In a statement, the national carmaker said cumulative sales for the first 10 months of 2026 rose 40.5% year-on-year to 182,510 units, putting it within reach of the 200,000-unit mark for the first time since 2002.

Proton estimated its market share at 30.6% in October and 27.1% for the year-to-date (YTD), based on an estimated total industry volume of more than 70,000 units for the month.

The Proton Saga remained its best-selling model, with 7,352 units sold in October, bringing YTD sales to 75,589 units, exceeding its full-year 2025 volume.

The Proton S70 recorded sales of 3,029 units, lifting its YTD total by 63.5% to 23,448 units.

Meanwhile, the newly introduced 2027 Proton S70 i-GT 1.5 contributed another 2,338 units in October.

The Proton X50 registered 1,925 units during the month, bringing cumulative sales to 22,088 units, while the Proton X90 recorded 478 units, lifting its YTD total to 3,728 units.

Proton said its electrified vehicle range continued to drive sales growth, with Proton e.MAS recording cumulative sales of 35,730 units as at October.

The e.MAS 5 led the range with 2,437 units sold during the month, followed by the e.MAS 7 plug-in hybrid with 710 units and the e.MAS 7 with 616 units.

Proton deputy chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa said demand for the company's internal combustion engine models remained strong alongside the expansion of its electrified vehicle offerings.

"During the final three months of 2026, Proton will continue pursuing more sales growth while collaborating closely with our dealers to ensure Proton customers receive an exemplary level of after sales service even as our volume grows exponentially.

“With so much competition from other brands, customer confidence and loyalty will be crucial to long-term success, which is why our new model introductions are always backed by sufficient training and parts supply to keep buyers happy.”

On exports, Proton recorded a monthly high of 2,610 units in October, comprising Proton and Geely models, bringing year-to-date export volume to 9,980 units.

The company said export growth was supported by demand from its overseas partners and Geely's international markets, contributing to higher production utilisation and parts orders for local vendors.