Proton’s sales jump 50% in June after zero-rated GST

Proton Car Showroom and Services at the Proton Centre of Excellence at Westbound Shah Alam Selangor

by RAHIMI YUNUS / pic by TMR file

PROTON Holdings Bhd recorded a 50% surge in sale in June as a result of the zero-rated Goods and Services Tax (GST), along with the company’s “Duit Raya” promotion.

According to a statement by Proton, the national carmaker delivered 6,173 units to capture a 10% market share in total industry volume (TIV) compared to 9.5% in May 2018.

“Proton had its best sales month for 2018 in June, proving that Malaysians continue to find the current range of Proton cars attractive thanks to the range of features that have been engineered into each model,” Proton Edar Sdn Bhd CEO Abdul Rashid Musa said in the statement.

Apart from the 0% GST, Abdul Rashid said the sales are boosted in line with the improved quality in Proton cars. He said Proton cars have improved three times in terms of quality for the past eight months, measured by Volvo quality standards.

Proton has embarked on a quality improvement initiative which resulted in its JD Power Customer Service Index to reach 755 points in 2017, an index that takes five items into account (in order of importance) which are service quality (32%), service initiation (22%), vehicle pick-up (18%), service advisor (15%) and service facility (13%).

Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid said the company has contributed a sum of RM61,730 into Tabung Harapan Malaysia following the first month of its programme to donate RM10 per car sold from June 1 to Dec 31, 2018.

Proton is expecting its volume to be further boosted with the launch of its first SUV in only months away, citing Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s approval on the model with its partner cum 49%-owner Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd.

Dr Mahathir recently met Geely chairman Li Shufu and test drove the first right-hand drive pre-production unit of the SUV.

“We are happy that Dr Mahathir approves of our efforts with Geely.

“This confirms that Proton is on the right track and now that pre-production of the SUV has commenced, we will soon begin our media and customer previews to build momentum ahead of the actual launch,” Abdul Rashid added.