For more than a decade, Perodua dominated the Malaysian national car market by a considerable margin compared to Proton.
However, things began to change when Proton recorded significant sales growth in the first half of 2026.
During that period, Proton recorded 98,010 new vehicle registrations, an increase of 40.5% compared to the same period last year.
Perodua is still far ahead with 158,295 units, but its sales fell by 4.7%. The gap between the two is now narrowing.
Proton Continues to Grow
Proton's rise is largely attributed to its partnership with China's Geely. Since Geely took a stake in Proton in 2017, the company has introduced several new models such as the X50 and X70 which are based on Geely models.
Proton is also becoming more aggressive in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The Proton e.MAS 7, based on the Geely Galaxy E5, is set to become one of the best-selling EVs in Malaysia by 2025.
The cheaper e.MAS 5 has already received over 10,000 bookings in the weeks since its launch.
Perodua also ramps up its strategy
Perodua still has a big advantage in the affordable car segment with models like the Axia, Bezza and Myvi. In 2025, Perodua recorded record sales of 359,904 units.
However, Perodua is now also turning its attention to EVs. The company launched the QV-E in December 2025, which was developed with an investment of RM800 million and involved over 100 local engineers.
The competition between Proton and Perodua will ultimately benefit Malaysian consumers. Both companies need to offer better cars, more modern technology and competitive prices.
If Proton can maintain its growth momentum, the competition in the national car market in the coming years is expected to become more intense. Whichever brand wins, Malaysian consumers will still be the winners.
