Proton optimistic of increasing market share to 29% next year

PETALING JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd is optimistic of increasing its market share to 29% in the financial year ending March 31 (FY10), from 26% in FY09 supported by encouraging car sales.

Group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said Saga sales had exceeded its monthly forecast sales of 4,500 units, achieving about 7,000 bookings monthly.

“And Persona, although launched two and a half years ago, is still doing well with 4,000 bookings monthly. And the bookings for Exora are also good, exceeding 22,600 units since we launched it in April,” he said after the launching of Proton Drive for Holidays campaign yesterday.

He said Proton aimed to close FY10 with sales of 155,000 units (domestic) from 141,958 units in FY09.

“We are blessed that the sales have been more encouraging than the industry outlook where the total industry volume (TIV) in 2009 is expected to be lower than last year’s at 500,000 units,” he said, adding that Proton’s monthly sales stood at 13,000 to 13,500 units.

The TIV for 2008 was 548,115 units.

Syed Zainal Abidin said it had been a good year for Proton and its year-end holiday packages was the company’s way of thanking customers for their support.

“For the first time in 36 months, we were at the number one position for Malaysian car sales for two consecutive months in June and July.

“Saga bagged the Best Model of the Year 2009 award at Asia-Pacific Frost & Sullivan Automotive Award and Exora won the Best Local Assembly MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) from the Asian Auto VCA, Auto Industry Award 2009,” he said.

Moving forward, Syed Zainal Abidin said, in response to the revised National Automotive Policy, Proton would intensify its efforts in producing more competitive products for the international and domestic markets.

On the Proton Drive for Holidays campaign, he said it would encourage sales and brand awareness for Proton as well as boost the local tourism industry.

Under the promotion, purchasers of Exora or Persona registered between Nov 1 and Dec 31 would instantly get a free three-day, two-night stay at 33 participating hotels in Malaysia.

The campaign also entitles purchasers of any Proton models registered during the promotional period to enter an SMS contest to win one of seven handphones offered daily.

Winners of the SMS contest will be entitled to participate in MMS contest that offers cash prizes and three-day two-night holiday packages in Malaysia.