Malaysia EV brand sales in September 2026 – Proton takes half of a cooler EV market

MALAYSIA, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

Malaysia’s electric vehicle market experienced a significant contraction in September 2026, with total registrations falling by 31.7 percent from the record high set in August, yet Proton maintained its dominant position by capturing exactly half of the remaining demand.

Despite the overall cooling of the market, the national carmaker Proton accounted for 3,016 of these registrations, representing a 50 percent market share. This performance, however, marked a 44 percent drop from Proton’s own record month in August, when it registered 5,383 units. The brand’s leadership was driven primarily by the e.MAS 5, which accounted for 2,490 units, while the e.MAS 7 contributed 526 units to the total.

The broader market dynamics indicate a shift in consumer behavior following the peak activity of August, with several major international brands also experiencing declines. Tesla held the second position in the September rankings with 703 units, a decrease of 39.7 percent from the previous month. This drop was largely attributed to the Model 3, whose registrations halved to 325 units, although the Model Y provided some support with 378 units.

Tesla’s year-to-date total stands at 4,436 units. BYD secured the third spot with 615 units, showing a modest increase of 7.7 percent, bringing its year-to-date total to 8,087 units. Notably, BYD’s year-to-date figure of 14,407 units for the entire year of 2025 is significantly lower than Proton’s current year-to-date total of 24,857 units, highlighting the rapid acceleration of the local brand’s electric vehicle adoption.

Following the top three, Zeekr ranked fourth with 445 units, an increase of 12.7 percent, while iCaur placed fifth with 312 units. The mid-tier of the market saw varied performance, with Leapmotor in sixth place at 167 units and Xpeng in seventh with 133 units, the latter showing a strong growth of 41.5 percent. Denza followed in eighth with 87 units, up 35.9 percent.

Perodua demonstrated significant momentum, climbing from 12th place in August to ninth in September with 86 units of the QV-E, a 53.6 percent increase. TQ Wuling held the tenth position with 74 units, while MG ranked 11th with 73 units.

Volvo experienced a notable surge, moving to 12th place with 69 units, more than double its August figure of 28 units. This growth was driven by a mix of models, including the EX30 with 36 units, the ES90 with 14 units, the EC40 with 10 units, and the EX90 with 9 units.

In contrast, BMW saw a sharp decline, dropping from seventh place in August to 13th in September with 53 units, a decrease of 51.4 percent. Great Wall Motor ranked 14th with 37 units, followed by Omoda | Jaecoo in 15th with 35 units and Porsche in 16th with 33 units.

The lower end of the top 20 included Dongfeng in 17th with 23 units, MINI in 18th with 22 units, and Chery in 19th with 11 units. Luxeed made its debut in the rankings at 20th place with nine units of the R7 model.

The data indicates a narrowing field of active participants, with only 29 brands registering at least one electric vehicle in September, meaning the top 20 list represents the majority of the market’s active players. Below the top 20, smart and JAC each registered five units, with JAC’s contribution coming from the T9 pick-up. Neta, Lotus, and Audi each registered three units, while Honda, Toyota, and Weststar Maxus registered two units each.

Lepas recorded its first electric vehicle registration with a single L4 unit. The inclusion of these smaller volumes underscores the fragmented nature of the lower end of the electric vehicle market, where niche brands and new entrants are testing consumer interest.

Beyond pure battery-electric vehicles, the broader electrified vehicle segment continued to gain traction. Hybrid vehicles added another 5,448 registrations in September, bringing the combined total of electrified vehicles, including both EVs and hybrids, to 15.5 percent of the overall market. This figure suggests that while the pure electric segment cooled, the overall transition to electrified powertrains remains a significant portion of new vehicle sales.

The year-to-date data further reinforces this trend, with 53,537 electric vehicles registered so far in 2026. This annual total already exceeds the 44,813 units recorded in the entirety of 2025, indicating a substantial acceleration in the adoption of electric vehicles over the past year.

The competitive landscape is characterized by a mix of established global players and emerging Chinese brands, with local manufacturers playing an increasingly pivotal role. Proton’s ability to maintain a 50 percent share despite a market-wide decline highlights the strength of its local brand recognition and distribution network. The performance of brands like Perodua, which saw a significant jump in rankings, suggests that local manufacturers are successfully capturing a broader segment of the market.

Meanwhile, the declines of brands like BMW and Tesla indicate that even premium and high-profile global brands are facing challenges in maintaining their previous growth trajectories in the Malaysian market.

The data also reveals the importance of model mix in driving brand performance. For instance, Volvo’s surge was driven by a diverse range of models, while Tesla’s decline was heavily influenced by the drop in Model 3 registrations. This suggests that consumer preferences are shifting, with buyers potentially favoring different model types or price points.

The debut of Luxeed and the continued presence of brands like Zeekr and iCaur reflect the ongoing influx of new electric vehicle models into the Malaysian market, providing consumers with a wider array of choices.

The regional context is also important, as Malaysia’s electric vehicle market is part of a broader trend of electrification across Southeast Asia. The rapid growth in year-to-date registrations, exceeding the previous year’s total by a significant margin, positions Malaysia as a key market for electric vehicle manufacturers. The data from JPJ provides a clear picture of this transition, showing not just the volume of sales but also the changing competitive dynamics among brands.

The ability of local brands to lead the market, combined with the strong performance of certain Chinese brands, suggests a unique market structure that differs from other major automotive markets.

Looking ahead, the cooling of the market in September may be a temporary adjustment following the record month of August, or it could signal a more sustained slowdown. The year-to-date figures, however, remain strong, indicating that the overall trend is still positive. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether the market can sustain its momentum or if the decline seen in September becomes a new baseline.

The performance of key models, such as the Proton e.MAS 5 and the Tesla Model Y, will likely be key indicators of consumer sentiment.

The data also highlights the role of policy and infrastructure in driving adoption. The increasing share of electrified vehicles, reaching 15.5 percent of the market, suggests that government incentives and the development of charging infrastructure are having a tangible impact on consumer behavior. The presence of a wide range of brands, from luxury to budget, indicates that the market is maturing and catering to diverse consumer needs.

The debut of new brands and models, such as Luxeed’s R7, shows that the market is still evolving, with new entrants continuing to test the waters.

In conclusion, while the electric vehicle market in Malaysia cooled in September 2026, the underlying trends remain positive. Proton’s dominant position, the strong year-to-date growth, and the increasing share of electrified vehicles all point to a market that is firmly on the path to electrification. The competitive landscape is dynamic, with local brands leading the charge and international brands adapting to the changing conditions.

The data from JPJ provides a detailed snapshot of this transition, offering valuable insights for manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers alike. The next steps will involve monitoring whether the market can recover from the September dip and continue its upward trajectory in the coming months.

Related: Proton · JPJ · Malaysia