Proton X50 moves back to top of its SUV class

Ever since Geely became a partner with DRB-HICOM in Proton in 2017, the automaker has seen steady growth and is aiming to regain its top position in the Malaysian market as well as be a leading automaker in ASEAN.

X models helped Proton’s turnaround
The first brand new products of the  partnership were the X models which are SUVs – the right products as that is a segment that is still buoyant. Everyone seems to want a SUV and that was something Proton was lacking for a long time.

The X70 put Proton’s products back in the limelight and met with strong positive response when it was launched at the end of 2018.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic suppressed its growth for a while (as it did for other models in the market).

Nevertheless, it is a strong seller today and holds the leading position in its segment.

Segment leadership
The smaller X50 made its debut during the dark period of the pandemic in 2020, a bad time to launch any new product. The success of the X70 had given more confidence to buyers with regard to a new product from a totally new partner and before long, the X50 too gained segment leadership with its right price and right size – plus all the modern features.

Nearly 120,000 units sold
To date, nearly 120,000 units have been sold in Malaysia as well as overseas, and it is the fastest selling SUV in the history of the Malaysian auto market. Despite stiff competition from newer rivals launched by Japanese and Chinese brands, the X50 has held a 10.3% market share in the SUV segment from January to June 2024.

With the update this year, the X50 remains the popular choice in the B-segment of SUVs and evidence of this can be seen in deliveries in July, its first full month of sales. A total of 2,585 units went to customers nationwide, which was it

s highest volume this year and puts the X50 at the top of its class.

Appeal to a diverse customer base
Its continued strong sales performance is not really a surprise to Proton as they know it has a diverse demographic, appealing equally to both male and female buyers. Over 60% of customers are aged between 26 and 50 years, indicating its broad appeal to both young professionals and those with families.

“July’s sales performance for the 2024 Proton X50 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team at Proton who listened closely to customer feedback. The model’s blend of performance, safety, and connectivity continues to resonate with our customers, this satisfying their needs. At the same time, Proton has made local production improvements and the customer-centric enhancements have kept the X50 ahead of the pack,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

“Going forward, Proton will continue to innovate and deliver exceptional value to our customers, reinforcing our position as a key player in the automotive industry,” he promised.

Click here to find a showroom to try the Proton X50 yourself

Proton X50 production increased to meet high demand