In January 2025, BYD is still the top-selling electric car brand, and Proton's ranking is rising rapidly

【PCauto】Fueled by the global electric vehicle movement, the Malaysian EV market has undergone rapid development in recent years. In 2024, sales of electric vehicles surged by nearly 80% year-on-year, with registrations reaching an impressive 28,048 units. This remarkable growth can be attributed to the introduction of numerous new electric vehicle models and the influx of new entrants into the market.

Currently, the Malaysian domestic market is home to over 27 distinct electric vehicle brands. While the landscape of EV sales in 2025 continues to reflect trends observed in prior years, it also indicates noteworthy developments.

BYD Maintains Dominance as the Leading EV Brand

In 2024, BYD emerged as the preeminent electric vehicle brand, capturing nearly 31% of the market share, primarily owing to the launch of its new models, including Seal, Atto 3, M6, and Sealion 7.

Entering 2025, BYD's multi-model advantage remains evident. Sales data from January 2025 reveals that BYD models are ranking prominently. Sealion 7, with 151 registrations, ranks second, while the cost-effective seven-seater M6 follows closely in third place with 136 registrations. Additionally, Atto 3 and Seal secured spots in the top ten, with 104 and 95 registrations, respectively.

Proton Rapidly Ascends to Second Place with a Singular Model

Local brand Proton has made a notable impact in the electric vehicle sector. Following the launch of its first electric vehicle, eMAS 7, in December 2024, Proton garnered over 2,500 reservations within a matter of weeks. As of January 2025, eMAS 7 has achieved the top position in electric vehicle sales with 421 registrations, surpassing the sales figures of any BYD model. Should Proton introduce an additional electric vehicle, it is poised to easily eclipse BYD, potentially claiming the title of the top seller.

Proton's rapid advancement can be attributed to both its local brand advantage and favorable government policies. A government policy that establishes a minimum average selling price of 100,000 ringgit for non-domestic electric vehicles provides Proton with a significant competitive edge in pricing.

Zeekr Achieves Notable Sales Progress

In 2024, Zeekr's registrations were relatively modest at only 75 units. However, in January 2025, Zeekr experienced a breakthrough, with Zeekr 009 registering 81 units, alongside Zeekr X achieving 21 units. Zeekr has successfully garnered the interest of quality-focused and technologically savvy consumers with its premium positioning, exceptional performance, and innovative features. As Zeekr continues to enhance its sales and service network domestically, its sales may progressively increase.

BMW Retains Status as a Traditional Luxury Player in EV Sector

As a traditional luxury automobile manufacturer, BMW leverages strong technical expertise in the electric vehicle domain. In 2024, BMW ranked third in the market with a share of 7%, despite experiencing a 39% year-on-year decline in overall electric vehicle sales, totaling 1,975 units. In January 2025, BMW i5 recorded 103 units, placing fifth among models that registered over 100 units that month. BMW's brand notoriety and product quality serve as its competitive advantages in this evolving market.

Tesla Experiences a Significant Decline, with Model 3 and Model Y Combined Fail to Exceed 100 Units

Tesla had previously shown strong performance within the domestic market, ranking second in 2024 with an 18% market share, largely driven by the popularity of Model 3 and Model Y. However, in January 2025, Tesla's registrations saw a substantial decline, with only 3 units of Model 3 and 10 units of the Model Y registered. This downturn may be attributed to the anticipation surrounding the launch of the redesigned Model Y, with consumers largely awaiting the updated version. It is projected that following the commencement of deliveries for the updated Tesla Model Y in April 2025, Tesla's sales may experience a resurgence.