KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Proton Holdings Bhd has exported some 1,635 vehicles worth RM55.1 million between June 2018 to August this year. 

In response to a question posed by Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (PBB-Kapit), Deputy International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Ong Kian Ming said the models topping the list of exports were the Gen2, Preve and Persona. 

"Main export destinations included Brunei, Mauritius, Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe and Egypt," he added.

He added that for the first eight months of the year, sales of Proton cars increased 36% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 61,235 units, and cited a Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA) figure that said the local car marque was the second largest player in the passenger vehicle segment.

The deputy minister explained that the increase in sales was driven by the new X70 sports utility vehicle (SUV).

When further pressed by Alexander if Proton could return to profitability based on current demand and market conditions, Ong said he was confident Proton's domestic sales would continue to grow. 

Under MITI's Industrial Linkage Programme (ILP), Proton has been incentivised to conduct more complete knock down (CKD) activities in Malaysia such as those seen in the X70, as well as for the soon-to-be-launched X50, he said. 

"At the same time, the X70 has been well received and I am confident that the X50 will also be well received, mainly because of its price point that differs with the X70," Ong elaborated. 

In addition, he expressed confidence in Proton's export strategy of exporting cars to right-hand drive countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia and those in the Middle East, as it creates a bigger market for the car manufacturer. 

Meanwhile, former deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan asked on what developments were present over Proton City, the carmaker's manufacturing facility and R&D centre in Tanjung Malim, Perak. 

In response, Ong said Proton City is undergoing the Industrial Linkage Programme which involves many vendors for the X70, as well as other planned models with Chinese automaker and Proton shareholder Zhejiang Geely Holdings Group Co Ltd (Geely).

"I feel this can be beneficial to Proton, as well as the entire supply chain that involves Malaysian companies in the vendor development chain," Ong said.