KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 2): Sales of Proton cars have surged significantly this year, with the figures for the first nine months alone exceeding last year's total sales.

In a statement today, Proton Holdings Bhd said 70,330 units were sold within Malaysia as well as to export markets during the January-September period this year, compared with 64,744 for the whole of last year.

In just September alone, 8,934 sales were registered, posing a growth of 97% from the 4,524 units recorded in the same month last year, it said.

"Proton's exceptional performance equates to an estimated market share of 20.2%, pointing towards the company growing sales at a higher rate than competitor brands. The figure is a 66-month high-point for the brand and helps to increase its year-to-date market share to an estimated 15.8%," said Proton.

In addition, the company said the Proton Saga was a hit in September, producing the highest number of monthly deliveries this year at 3,994 units. So far this year, the Proton Saga has received bookings for 20,000 units.

"The figure also means the Saga was the best-selling A-segment sedan in Malaysia, reclaiming the position after a hiatus of nearly over three years," Proton chief executive officer Dr Li Chunrong said in the statement.

"By exceeding our total sales volume in 2018 in just nine months Proton is on target to achieving its best sales number since 2015. Of even greater significance though is the Saga's return to the number one spot in its segment.

"Despite being launched less than two months ago, the response from Malaysians has been overwhelmingly positive," Li added.

The 2019 Proton Saga model, launched on Aug 6, is priced between RM32,800 and RM39,800.