KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 -- National carmaker Proton said its total sales for the first quarter of 2026 reached their highest level since 2004, supported by strong demand across both internal combustion engine (ICE) and new energy vehicle segments.

In a statement today, the company said it sold 15,706 units in March, bringing total sales for the first three months of the year to 49,140 units.

This represents a 40.1 per cent year-to-date increase, despite an estimated 4.9 per cent contraction in Malaysia's total industry volume (TIV) over the same period.

Proton said March sales rose 15.4 per cent from February and were 12.8 per cent higher compared to the same month last year. Its market share for March is expected to reach 25.1 per cent,...