Some news on developments on the hybrid and electric vehicle front for Proton – it was reported recently that the automaker said it’s anticipating to come out with a hybrid car by the end of 2014, and that it expects to launch an EV by end-2015.
According to executive chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil, the company is “still on track with the hybrid project, and will complete the new technology by the end of 2014.” He added that that in the case of the EV, the prototype was ready and that the automaker was now at the testing stage to ensure it meets local specifications. No details were reported on which model the EV would be based on.
In September 2012, Parliament was told that Proton would begin selling electric vehicles by 2014. At that stage, the national car company was collaborating with UK-based Frazer-Nash Research to develop its own EV.
Back in 2010 and into 2011, prototypes of the Range Extender Electric Exora and UTM/Proton-developed Saga EV were heavily showcased – the duo were involved in the RAC Future Car Challenge 2011 from Brighton to London, and eight examples (five Exora REEV and three Saga EVs) were handed to the government for fleet testing trials, but things seem to have quietened since then.
Click here to read our preview drive reports of the Exora REEV and Saga EV.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express skepticism and cynicism towards Proton’s upcoming hybrid and EV plans, citing past failures, quality concerns, and delays in development. Many worry Proton cannot execute hybrid technology successfully due to perceived low quality, and some criticize the company for rebadging models instead of genuine innovation. There’s also a sentiment that Proton’s efforts are too late, with other global manufacturers already progressing in hybrid and EV markets. Several comments highlight frustration with Proton’s reputation for reliability, while others compare it unfavorably to Japanese and Korean brands. Additionally, some comments include off-topic rants and offhand criticisms, but overall, the sentiment reflects doubts about Proton’s ability to deliver effective, reliable hybrid vehicles and concern about potential further delays or failures.