Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands in Malaysia (2026)
Ranked by new car registrations from January to August 2026, counted by us from the Road Transport Department's raw registration file. Perodua leads with 219,559, but Proton is closing the gap fast.
This is a Data ranking. The order comes from our own count of JPJ's raw car registration file on data.gov.my, covering 1 January to 31 August 2026. Registrations are not the same as the delivery figures carmakers and the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) announce, so numbers differ from press releases. Nothing here is buying or investment advice.
Quick answer
Perodua is Malaysia's best-selling car brand in 2026, with 219,559 new car registrations from 1 January to 31 August 2026, according to Malaysia's Top Ten's count of the Road Transport Department (JPJ) registration file published on data.gov.my. That is 38.8% of all 566,616 new cars registered in the period. Proton is second with 135,169 (23.9%) and the fastest-growing big brand, up 38.5% on the same months of 2025. Toyota (72,942), Honda (37,194) and Chery (21,206) complete the top five.
- The two national carmakers took 62.6% of all new registrations from January to August 2026: Perodua 38.8% and Proton 23.9%.
- Proton is up 38.5% year on year (135,169 vs 97,578), driven by the new Saga and the e.MAS 5 electric car. Perodua is down 5.2%.
- Honda (-20.3%), Mercedes-Benz (-20.9%) and Toyota (-9.4%) lost the most ground among the top ten. Jetour grew more than six-fold, from 1,175 to 7,503 registrations.
- Three of the top ten are Chinese groups (Chery, Jetour and BYD), with a combined 36,181 registrations, or 6.4% of the market.
How this ranking was decided
This is a Data ranking. We downloaded JPJ's raw car registration file from data.gov.my (566,616 rows for 2026) and counted every new registration by the maker JPJ records, from 1 January to 31 August 2026, the latest full month available. The metric, period and tie rule were fixed before counting. Year-on-year change compares the same eight months of 2025 from the same file. No editorial adjustment of positions.
Full details in How this ranking was produced below.
The ranking at a glance
| # | Name | New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026) | Best for | Main advantage | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perodua | 219,559 (38.8% share) | Buyers who want a low-cost, fuel-efficient first car with nationwide service. | Largest share of the market by a wide margin | Registrations down 5.2% year on year |
| 2 | Proton | 135,169 (23.9% share) | Buyers choosing between a budget sedan, a Geely-based SUV or an affordable electric car. | Fastest-growing big brand, +38.5% | Still 84,390 registrations behind Perodua |
| 3 | Toyota | 72,942 (12.9% share) | Buyers who prioritise resale value, hybrids and a wide choice of body types. | Most hybrid registrations of any brand | Down 9.4% year on year |
| 4 | Honda | 37,194 (6.6% share) | Buyers who want a sporty sedan or compact SUV with a hybrid option. | City is Malaysia's best-selling non-national model | Down 20.3%, the biggest drop in the top five |
| 5 | Chery (incl. Jaecoo, Omoda and iCaur) | 21,206 (3.7% share) | SUV buyers who want a well-equipped Chinese model at a mid-range price. | Best-selling Chinese car group in Malaysia | Sales spread across four badges |
| 6 | Mitsubishi | 8,824 (1.6% share) | Families needing a seven-seater, and buyers of working pick-ups. | Xpander is a strong-selling family MPV | Small range of three main models |
| 7 | Mazda | 7,852 (1.4% share) | Buyers who want premium styling and driving feel below luxury-brand prices. | Up 40.7%, best growth among Japanese brands | Few hybrid or electric options |
| 8 | Jetour | 7,503 (1.3% share) | Buyers who want a rugged-looking, large SUV at a mid-range price. | Fastest growth in the top ten | Young brand with a short local track record |
| 9 | BYD | 7,472 (1.3% share) | Buyers ready to go fully electric with a wide choice of EV body styles. | Malaysia's biggest all-electric brand | Flat growth while Proton's EVs surge |
| 10 | Mercedes-Benz | 4,979 (0.9% share) | Luxury buyers who want a locally assembled premium car. | Top luxury brand by registrations | Down 20.9% year on year |
Two national brands, then everyone else
Malaysia registered 566,616 new cars in the first eight months of 2026, 2.8% more than in the same period of 2025. Almost two in three wear a national badge. Perodua's lead rests on cheap, fuel-efficient small cars (the Bezza, Axia and Myvi alone account for 157,304 registrations). Proton's surge comes from the new Saga and from the e.MAS 5, which became Malaysia's best-selling electric car. In August 2026 the gap between the two shrank to 9,281 registrations, the narrowest of the year (paultan.org).
Behind them, the Japanese brands are losing share to Chinese newcomers. Analysts at Hong Leong Investment Bank expect the national brands to keep their momentum through the second half of 2026, with non-national brands under pressure from price competition (paultan.org). For the corporate side of the story, Proton's parent DRB-HICOM features in our ranking of Malaysian companies by revenue, and Naza, a long-time car distributor, appears among our top Malaysian homegrown brands. More data-led rankings are in our Business & Industry hub, and every rule we use is set out in our rankings methodology.
Registrations versus sales
Carmakers and the MAA report deliveries (total industry volume, TIV). MAA counted 530,478 vehicles for January to August 2026, up 3% (The Star). JPJ's file counts every car registered for the first time, including reconditioned imports that TIV leaves out. That is why Toyota's Alphard, a popular recond import, registers 11,292 units here. The two measures move together: our year-on-year growth of 2.8% is close to MAA's 3%, and our Perodua, Proton, Toyota and Honda totals match paultan.org's own JPJ count exactly.
The full ranking
Perodua
Malaysia's second national carmaker, building small, affordable cars in Rawang, Selangor, since 1993.
Why it was selected
219,559 new registrations from January to August 2026, 38.8% of the market and 84,390 ahead of second place (JPJ via data.gov.my). Three models carry the brand: Bezza (65,697), Axia (52,145) and Myvi (39,462). Registrations are down 5.2% on the same months of 2025, but Perodua still led every single month of 2026.
Best for
Buyers who want a low-cost, fuel-efficient first car with nationwide service.
Advantages
- Largest share of the market by a wide margin
Limitations
- Registrations down 5.2% year on year
- Location:
- Rawang, Selangor
- Website:
- www.perodua.com.my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 219,559 (38.8% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- -5.2%
- Top model:
- Bezza (65,697)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
Proton
Malaysia's first national carmaker, majority-owned by DRB-HICOM with Geely as partner, based in Shah Alam.
Why it was selected
135,169 new registrations from January to August 2026, 23.9% of the market and up 38.5% year on year, the fastest growth of any big brand (JPJ via data.gov.my). The Saga leads with 59,367, followed by the S70 (17,953), the e.MAS 5 electric car (17,837) and the X50 (17,828). Proton registered 21,841 electric cars, more than any other brand.
Best for
Buyers choosing between a budget sedan, a Geely-based SUV or an affordable electric car.
Advantages
- Fastest-growing big brand, +38.5%
Limitations
- Still 84,390 registrations behind Perodua
- Location:
- Shah Alam, Selangor
- Website:
- www.proton.com
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 135,169 (23.9% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- +38.5%
- Top model:
- Saga (59,367)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my, paultan.org — Proton August 2026 sales
Toyota
The leading non-national brand, assembled and distributed locally by UMW Toyota Motor.
Why it was selected
72,942 new registrations from January to August 2026, 12.9% of the market, down 9.4% year on year (JPJ via data.gov.my). Its range is the broadest in the top ten: the Hilux pick-up (14,327), Vios sedan (13,018) and Alphard MPV (11,292, largely reconditioned imports) lead. Toyota also leads hybrids, with 10,994 hybrid registrations.
Best for
Buyers who prioritise resale value, hybrids and a wide choice of body types.
Advantages
- Most hybrid registrations of any brand
Limitations
- Down 9.4% year on year
- Location:
- Shah Alam, Selangor (UMW Toyota)
- Website:
- www.toyota.com.my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 72,942 (12.9% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- -9.4%
- Top model:
- Hilux (14,327)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
Honda
Japan's second brand in Malaysia, built in Pegoh, Melaka, by Honda Malaysia.
Why it was selected
37,194 new registrations from January to August 2026, 6.6% of the market, but down 20.3% year on year, the steepest fall in the top five (JPJ via data.gov.my). The City sedan (16,009) is still the best-selling non-national model in the country, ahead of the HR-V (7,968) and Civic (7,323).
Best for
Buyers who want a sporty sedan or compact SUV with a hybrid option.
Advantages
- City is Malaysia's best-selling non-national model
Limitations
- Down 20.3%, the biggest drop in the top five
- Location:
- Pegoh, Melaka
- Website:
- www.honda.com.my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 37,194 (6.6% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- -20.3%
- Top model:
- City (16,009)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
Chery (incl. Jaecoo, Omoda and iCaur)
China's biggest car exporter, assembling in Malaysia with sub-brands Jaecoo, Omoda and iCaur.
Why it was selected
21,206 new registrations from January to August 2026, 3.7% of the market and up 3.7% year on year (JPJ via data.gov.my, which records all four badges under Chery). The Jaecoo J7 (5,063), Jaecoo J5 (3,519) and Tiggo Cross (3,135) lead. Every registration is an SUV, and 3,525 were electric.
Best for
SUV buyers who want a well-equipped Chinese model at a mid-range price.
Advantages
- Best-selling Chinese car group in Malaysia
Limitations
- Sales spread across four badges
- Location:
- Malaysia (Chery Malaysia; Omoda & Jaecoo Malaysia)
- Website:
- www.chery.my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 21,206 (3.7% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- +3.7%
- Top model:
- Jaecoo J7 (5,063)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
Mitsubishi
Japanese brand distributed by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, strong in MPVs and pick-ups.
Why it was selected
8,824 new registrations from January to August 2026, 1.6% of the market, down 4.2% year on year (JPJ via data.gov.my). The seven-seat Xpander MPV (4,260) leads, followed by the Xforce SUV (2,816) and the Triton pick-up (1,735).
Best for
Families needing a seven-seater, and buyers of working pick-ups.
Advantages
- Xpander is a strong-selling family MPV
Limitations
- Small range of three main models
- Location:
- Malaysia (Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia)
- Website:
- www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 8,824 (1.6% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- -4.2%
- Top model:
- Xpander (4,260)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
Mazda
Japanese brand distributed by Bermaz Auto, with models assembled in Kulim, Kedah.
Why it was selected
7,852 new registrations from January to August 2026, 1.4% of the market and up 40.7% year on year, the strongest growth among the Japanese brands (JPJ via data.gov.my). The Mazda 3 (3,542) leads, ahead of the CX-5 (1,764) and CX-30 (1,063).
Best for
Buyers who want premium styling and driving feel below luxury-brand prices.
Advantages
- Up 40.7%, best growth among Japanese brands
Limitations
- Few hybrid or electric options
- Location:
- Malaysia (Bermaz Auto)
- Website:
- www.mazda.com.my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 7,852 (1.4% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- +40.7%
- Top model:
- Mazda 3 (3,542)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
Jetour
Chery Group's off-road-styled SUV brand, launched in Malaysia in 2024.
Why it was selected
7,503 new registrations from January to August 2026, up from 1,175 a year earlier, a 538.6% rise and the fastest growth in the top ten (JPJ via data.gov.my). The boxy T2 SUV (3,975) and the Dashing (2,373) account for most of it. Jetour finished just 31 registrations ahead of BYD.
Best for
Buyers who want a rugged-looking, large SUV at a mid-range price.
Advantages
- Fastest growth in the top ten
Limitations
- Young brand with a short local track record
- Location:
- Malaysia (Jetour Auto Malaysia)
- Website:
- jetour.com.my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 7,503 (1.3% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- +538.6%
- Top model:
- T2 (3,975)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
BYD
China's electric-car giant, distributed in Malaysia by Sime Darby Motors.
Why it was selected
7,472 new registrations from January to August 2026, all of them electric, up 1.1% year on year (JPJ via data.gov.my). The Atto 3 (3,027) leads, ahead of the Sealion (1,456) and Seal 6 (1,326). BYD is the second-largest electric brand after Proton, but its August registrations more than halved, to 571 (paultan.org).
Best for
Buyers ready to go fully electric with a wide choice of EV body styles.
Advantages
- Malaysia's biggest all-electric brand
Limitations
- Flat growth while Proton's EVs surge
- Location:
- Malaysia (BYD Sime Darby Motors)
- Website:
- www.byd.com/my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 7,472 (1.3% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- +1.1%
- Top model:
- Atto 3 (3,027)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
Mercedes-Benz
Malaysia's best-selling luxury brand, with local assembly in Pekan, Pahang.
Why it was selected
4,979 new registrations from January to August 2026, 0.9% of the market, down 20.9% year on year (JPJ via data.gov.my). It still out-registers BMW (3,988) and Lexus (4,315). The GLC (1,085), C-Class (873) and A-Class (764) lead, and 2,268 registrations were hybrids.
Best for
Luxury buyers who want a locally assembled premium car.
Advantages
- Top luxury brand by registrations
Limitations
- Down 20.9% year on year
- Location:
- Malaysia (Mercedes-Benz Malaysia)
- Website:
- www.mercedes-benz.com.my
- Verified:
- 2 Oct 2026
- New registrations (Jan–Aug 2026):
- 4,979 (0.9% share)
- Change vs Jan–Aug 2025:
- -20.9%
- Top model:
- GLC (1,085)
Sources: JPJ car registrations — data.gov.my
Frequently asked questions
What is the best-selling car brand in Malaysia in 2026?
Perodua is Malaysia's best-selling car brand in 2026, with 219,559 new registrations from January to August, or 38.8% of the market, according to Malaysia's Top Ten's count of JPJ registration data on data.gov.my. Proton is second with 135,169 and Toyota third with 72,942. Perodua's registrations are 5.2% lower than in the same months of 2025, while Proton's are 38.5% higher.
Is Proton catching up with Perodua in 2026?
Yes. Proton registered 135,169 new cars from January to August 2026, up 38.5% year on year, while Perodua fell 5.2% to 219,559. In August 2026 alone Proton registered 20,141 cars against Perodua's 29,422, the smallest monthly gap of the year. The new Saga (59,367 registrations) and the e.MAS 5 electric car (17,837) drove the rise. Perodua still leads by 84,390 registrations for the year so far.
What are the most popular car models in Malaysia in 2026?
By new registrations from January to August 2026, the Perodua Bezza leads with 65,697, followed by the Proton Saga (59,367), Perodua Axia (52,145) and Perodua Myvi (39,462), according to JPJ data on data.gov.my counted by Malaysia's Top Ten. The most-registered non-national model is the Honda City (16,009), and the most-registered electric car is the Proton e.MAS 5 (17,837).
Which Chinese car brand sells the most in Malaysia?
Chery is the best-selling Chinese car group in Malaysia in 2026, with 21,206 registrations from January to August, fifth overall. JPJ records its Jaecoo, Omoda and iCaur models under Chery; the Jaecoo J7 (5,063) is its biggest seller. Jetour (7,503) and BYD (7,472) are the next Chinese brands, at eighth and ninth. Together the three hold 6.4% of new registrations.
Why are these numbers different from MAA car sales figures?
The Malaysian Automotive Association reports deliveries by its members (total industry volume), which reached 530,478 vehicles from January to August 2026. This ranking counts JPJ registrations, which include reconditioned imports registered for the first time and exclude some commercial vehicles outside the car file. JPJ counted 566,616 new car registrations in the same period. Both show the market growing about 3% year on year.
How was this car brand ranking calculated?
Malaysia's Top Ten downloaded the raw JPJ car registration file from data.gov.my on 2 October 2026 and counted registrations per maker from 1 January to 31 August 2026. The metric, period and tie rule were fixed before counting, and positions follow the numbers with no editorial adjustment. Year-on-year change uses the same months of 2025.
How this ranking was produced
- Question: Which car brands registered the most new cars in Malaysia in 2026?
- Data: JPJ car registration transactions (dataset
registration_transactions_car), published by the Ministry of Transport on data.gov.my. We downloaded the raw 2026 file (566,616 rows) and the 2025 file (870,188 rows) on 2 October 2026. - Metric: number of new registrations per maker, 1 January – 31 August 2026 (the latest full month in the file). All body types in the file count: cars, SUVs, MPVs, window vans and pick-ups.
- Maker: as recorded by JPJ. Spelling variants of the same name were merged (fewer than 10 rows in total). Sub-brands follow JPJ's classification, so Jaecoo, Omoda and iCaur models count under Chery, while Lexus is its own maker.
- Year-on-year: the same eight months of 2025 from the same source.
- Tie rule (set before counting): the higher August 2026 count ranks first. No tie occurred.
- Cross-checks: MAA's TIV and paultan.org's JPJ-based brand tables.
- Full house rules: our rankings methodology.
Notable exclusions
Candidates considered but not ranked, and why:
- Great Wall Motor (4,608, 11th) — Missed the top ten by 371 registrations behind Mercedes-Benz. Its Haval H6 (2,184) and Wey G9 (1,769) lead; up 38.2% year on year.
- Lexus (4,315, 12th) — Recorded by JPJ as a separate maker from Toyota, so it is ranked on its own. Combined with Toyota it would not change Toyota's third place.
- BMW (3,988), Tesla (3,733) and Zeekr (2,957) — 13th to 15th. Tesla nearly doubled in August 2026 (1,166 registrations) and Zeekr more than quadrupled year on year, but neither reached the top ten for the eight-month period.
- Brand-level split of Chery — JPJ files Jaecoo, Omoda and iCaur under Chery, and we follow JPJ's maker field as declared before counting. If the badges were split, Omoda and Jaecoo together (about 11,800) would still rank fifth, while Chery-badged models alone (about 6,000) would fall just below Mercedes-Benz.
- Motorcycles, buses and lorries — Outside scope. They are in separate JPJ files; this ranking covers the car file only.
Sources & references
- data.gov.my — Car Registration Transactions (registration_transactions_car), JPJ / Ministry of Transport
- Raw file — cars_2026.csv (downloaded 2 October 2026)
- Raw file — cars_2025.csv (year-on-year baseline)
- The Star — Malaysia's vehicle sales fall 2% in August, YTD volume up 3% (MAA TIV)
- paultan.org — Malaysia's top-selling car makes in August 2026
- paultan.org — Proton sold 22,632 units in August 2026
- paultan.org — Proton e.MAS 5 takes 54% of Malaysia's EV market in August 2026
- paultan.org — Hong Leong expects Proton, Perodua to sustain momentum in 2H26
- paultan.org — Chinese car brands went from 0.08% to 7.6% of the Malaysian market in 3 years
- The Star — Vehicle sales poised to reach 800,000 units in 2026
Limitations
This ranking covers January to August 2026, the latest full month in JPJ's file when we downloaded it on 2 October 2026; positions can change by year-end. Registrations are not sales: they include reconditioned imports and can lag deliveries by days or weeks, so totals differ from MAA and carmaker announcements. We rank by JPJ's maker field, which groups some sub-brands under their parent. Registration volume measures popularity, not quality, reliability or value for money.
Update history
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| 2 Oct 2026 | First published (JPJ registration data 1 January – 31 August 2026, downloaded 2 October 2026). |
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