Proton remains Malaysia’s ‘first and only proper OEM manufacturer’, local R&D to continue – Syed Faisal

Proton remains Malaysia’s ‘first and only proper OEM manufacturer’, local R&D to continue – Syed Faisal

Malaysian carmaker Proton was the first, and still is the only proper OEM car manufacturer in the country, said Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar. He said that this will remain very much the case going into the future.

Speaking at the automaker’s launch of its new corporate identity earlier today, he said that despite the Proton X70 being a relation of the Geely Boyue, Proton isn’t simply going to just rebadge models from the Chinese brand.

He said that Proton will continue as a full-fledged manufacturer and will design its own models, with the company’s research and development division continuing to play a part in developing future Proton models. No mention was however made on what models would be designed locally in the future. Its current locally-derived model line-up includes the Saga, Persona, Iriz and Exora, all of which were facelifted this year.

When the partnership agreement was first announced, it was reported that the automaker’s R&D division would be transformed into one of Geely’s global centre of excellence sites, allowing it to develop future models. The Tanjung Malim plant, which has been augmented to develop right-hand-drive exports of Geely models, will also be the R&D hub for RHD production.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Pak Toh on Sep 24, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    support LiChunRong.

    Geely’s made Proton X70 RM123k Premium version safety features should be standard for all cars.
    Game Changer!

    it’s even better than Honda HR-V 1.8L full spec RM125k but kosong.

    Game Changer!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 10
    • Nasi goreng on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:22 pm

      This is clearly a game over syiok sendiri statement. Already China gave their Boyue to Proton, now Proton chairman shamelessly claim that Proton is Malaysian only OEM. The X70 is the proof that Proton is back to rebadging business again.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 51 Thumb down 47
      • Celup King on Sep 24, 2019 at 3:23 pm

        He is not wrong since Proton PIES still sells well. As the only true national car company, he has every reason to brag. Unlike the other fake national car company that have been rebadging nonstop since 25 years ago.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 52 Thumb down 7
        • azlano on Sep 24, 2019 at 3:31 pm

          Concur here. couldnt agree more with our chairman, stamp of approval for the hardwork. Look at our infinite weave grille…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 14
          • Kipidap bro! Thumbs up

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
          • Won ton mee on Sep 24, 2019 at 3:57 pm

            Proton will discontinue game over PIES models and replace them with Geely cars. Soon, Proton is no longer OEM anymore

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 11
          • Weak name,poor quality control.and ended up using chinese car is something proton should be ashaned of

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 17
          • Super Taikor on Sep 24, 2019 at 10:47 pm

            Proton do R&D on front grill that cost RM80 per piece

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
          • Sam KK Loo on Sep 24, 2019 at 11:52 pm

            Terrible name and quality control.and ended up using unwanted dieheartsu/toyotaik junk car is something poodua should be ashamed of, but hor, still many malaysian carbuyers are uneducated, that’s why poodua remain No. 1 village champion.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
          • cucur belacan on Sep 25, 2019 at 8:33 am

            1st oem manufacture that almost become 1st oem manufacture to lingkup bankrap, and have to gadai half share to geely china to survive. without geely china and mr li chunrong, poton is close door lingkup sudah. local made oem all useless and alot komplen. thats y almost bankrap. again thanks to li chunrong, not to local lazy ceo and staff.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
        • Steven Matthias on Sep 24, 2019 at 4:28 pm

          Actually the real OEM manufacturer is Geely and not Proton. Proton is just a mere rebadger.

          We need more Li Chunrongs to run our industries. We thank China, Geely and Li Chunrong for making us healthy again with good governance.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 14
          • Real Steven Matthias on Sep 27, 2019 at 2:38 pm

            No! You’re wrong! I disapprove! Proton is not a badger! It’s a tiger!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
      • Uncle Joe Low on Sep 25, 2019 at 7:13 am

        One day,Protong get to re badge Mercedes, DRB will claim it is world class n all the stupid fanboys will say BENAR,Bang.Just accept the blardy truth that P1 is now GEELY MALAYSIA BERHAD with a revamped top management n logo.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
      • john doe on Sep 26, 2019 at 11:15 am

        exactly!
        this guy has no pride in manufacturing/produce anything for the country…over 30 years wasted time and happily claimed that statement, OEM!
        all OEM failed around the world!! dude!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Raja Celup on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:26 pm

      Betui… Syed Faisal kaki sembang..delusional.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 9
      • He got no face. Pls claim after u hv an all new car.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
      • Steven Matthias on Sep 24, 2019 at 4:30 pm

        Li Chunrong, in 6 months, turned Proton around for the better, what for 20 years, our local CEOs could not do.

        In 6 months, Li Chunrong identified all the leakages that was draining Proton what our local CEOs could not do.

        I suggest, any press statements, let Li Chunrong or Geely make announcement. They deserve the credit.

        Local Proton staff do not deserve anything cause they did not plug the leakages the past 20 years

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 10
    • John Gagal on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:30 pm

      Just rebadge any cars from Geely.

      No need to feel maruah tercalar.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 12
    • Be the heroes! Roar like tiger! Brave like thundercats! Buy Proton Hohhhhh!!!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 5
    • Copycat and rebadged engineering.worst still solely reliance to chinese cikai cars

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 12
      • MyDean on Sep 27, 2019 at 2:42 pm

        Oh man Dean.. What car you’re driving that doesn’t have a china in it? I bet that if you take time to research each and every part in your car, you might find the car is at least 30% Chinese. If that percentage is M’sia car market share figure, your car is basically Chinese hahaha

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • OEM dreaming on Sep 24, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    whatttt??? proper OEM? you’re not giving business to local vendors..most of your parts made in china dude….don’t overclaim you are OEM when you are only rebadging..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 51 Thumb down 19
    • Raja Celup on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:24 pm

      Dulu kini selamanya jadi king of rebadge.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 14
      • Raja Celup on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:36 pm

        Perodua also never make their own model, always rebadge. first and forever rebadging perodua.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 5
        • Johny on Sep 24, 2019 at 7:42 pm

          Lulz the third gen Perodua Myvi is not based on any Daihatsu. The opposite happened, it gets rebadged as Daihatsu to export to Indonesia.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
          • SK Lim on Sep 24, 2019 at 10:15 pm

            3rd gen Myvi is still based of Daihatsu Mira. The only thing going to Indonesia is not the original Mira that Daihatsu sells elsewhere. Only in Indonesia they get shortchanged, main reason why it’s not a hot seller there.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
          • Jane Doe on Sep 24, 2019 at 10:33 pm

            Lulz the third gen Myvi borrows chassis & underpinnings from Toyota XP40 similar wheelbase of 2500mm. Only the body is designed in-house.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
      • Some say takpa asalkan dapat cari duit, jual nama, jual maruah pun takpa. Mcm Perodua.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 4
    • Lets See on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:33 pm

      Say whattt??? Did you crawl out from a rock or something bro? How did you missed this news
      https://paultan.org/2019/08/07/proton-x70-ckd-on-track-for-q2-2019-launch-local-content-to-gradually-increase-to-meet-commitment/

      Compared to the “other national car” brand, any Proton PIES has more OEM hardware in the front half compared to a whole Aruz. That tells you whom is truly supporting the local OEM scene.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 1
  • sorry man but proton is no longer oem. it’s now a re-badger.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 20
  • Raja Kamarul on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:29 pm

    So many people say P1 is a rebadger. I wonder what they call P2… LoLz

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 2
    • g-man on Sep 24, 2019 at 4:54 pm

      a re-badger as well. two re-badgers dont make an oem. but p2 does not pretend or claim they’re the national carmaker or an OEM.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 5
      • SK Lim on Sep 24, 2019 at 10:17 pm

        Oh yes they do. Look at the amount of their bored trolling salesmen here claiming P2 is a national carmaker yet they cannot prove a single model which is developed by them, look on the other side there is PIES which is indigenous developed from ground up.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • dumb man on Sep 25, 2019 at 12:01 pm

        Yet, P2 is enjoying national car tax relief. WTF are you talking about?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Perodua is plagiarism.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Nabil Dev on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    It clearly can see how dumbo you people are .. OEM means not not for X70,Proton is also producing latest iriz, Persona, Saga , Exora and all these cars was introduced by Proton and made in Proton.
    Bear on mind , Geely still not an owner for Proton, They’re just a partner.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 4
  • ‘First and only proper OEM manufacturer’ that rebadged most of its models

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 14
    • Darren on Sep 24, 2019 at 3:58 pm

      Can tell us Waja, Gen2, Persona CM, Exora, Satria Neo, Savvy, Iriz, Persona BM, Saga BLM is rebadge from where ah?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 3
  • seancorr (Member) on Sep 24, 2019 at 2:47 pm

    This is what happens when your company is now profitable thanks to the Chinese and now you got the balls to talk kok. Don’t shame the people who brought up the company lah. If anything it’s the Chinese who would be given the right to say something but they didn’t so how does that reflect on this so called chairman who only knows how to sit on a chair?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 5
  • Saga, Iriz, Exora and Persona OEM. Only x70 from volvo. Perodua? No OEM.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 3
    • Syer1n on Sep 24, 2019 at 3:30 pm

      New myvi is built ground up by perodua.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 26
      • New Myvi is just a heavily reskinned Boon. Engine the same, gearbox the same.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
      • How wrong you are. Myvi still using Toyota platform. Perodua only designing the skin, unlike previously only change bumpers. Do you know what from ground up mean?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
      • reality check on Sep 24, 2019 at 5:00 pm

        Are you sure? What is the difference from Toyota Passo/Daihatsu Boon then? A few cosmetic and not mechanically-functional parts?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
      • Other than body panels and badge, which part is Perodua own development?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
      • Zailani on Sep 24, 2019 at 9:12 pm

        Bezza and axia oso ground up by perodua.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 6
    • Sam KK Loo on Sep 24, 2019 at 8:20 pm

      Ya, new myvi is built ground up by poodua, with too many cost cutting and downgrading exercise, even removing a bloody important temperature gauge and deleted manual option for 1.5 version. No wonder lots of new myvi got so many major (not minor) problem (esp. fuel pump and auto gearbox).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • random on Sep 24, 2019 at 3:18 pm

    Bleeding country’s money for 34+ years.
    Thanks for that.
    Please don’t build another 3rd or 4th national car or flying cars nonsense, be realistic….and stop sending nasi lemaks to space.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 8
    • Sam KK Loo on Sep 24, 2019 at 8:29 pm

      Another one, sucking rakyat’s money for 25+ years with their Pisspoor, Overprice, Obsolete, Dangerous, Unpleasant and Archaic junk cars. In addition, rakyat are forced to buy their junk cars otherwise sales MD will get angry.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • OEM dreaming on Sep 24, 2019 at 4:04 pm

    at least p2 NEVER claim a statement “P2 only proper OEM”..p1 making this statement after they tied up with geely…nonsense dude…don’t talk about PIES model anymore…move on dude…even p2 forever and ever rebadge, like Aruz, more than 80% is local content.Malaysian vendor get business.x-70 CKD.CKD only loose parts import from china and install in P1, totally difference. Please reveal how many local content in X70 CKD…I feel embarrassing if I’m a p1 staff…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 7
    • P2 cannot make that claim bcoz they knows it wud be easily shot down. Unlike P1 who truly is the only OEM maker.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • OEM dreamer on Sep 24, 2019 at 4:04 pm

    at least p2 NEVER claim a statement “P2 only proper OEM”..p1 making this statement after they tied up with geely…nonsense dude…don’t talk about PIES model anymore…move on dude…even p2 forever and ever rebadge, like Aruz, more than 80% is local content.Malaysian vendor get business.x-70 CKD.CKD only loose parts import from china and install in P1, totally difference. Please reveal how many local content in X70 CKD…I feel embarrassing if I’m a p1 staff…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 7
  • bolehlahland on Sep 24, 2019 at 4:58 pm

    macam mana nak panggil OEM?asyik curi enjin orang,chassis orang,paling malas rebadge kereta orang…lepas tu ada pula orang tua bodoh dengan vested interest dalam proton….proton di bawah pengurusan LiChunRong
    lebih aggresif dari segi produk dan marketing….produk proton(saga,persona,iriz) lebih gempak dan appealing berbanding di bawah pengurusan orang tua bodoh tu dulu…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
  • MyNewToys on Sep 24, 2019 at 5:20 pm

    Syed Faizal said about history not now..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Betulla.. Selagi production iriz, persona, saga, preve n suprima ada lg, proton masih pengeluar oem. Perdana n x70 cuma rebadge je

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Justice on Sep 24, 2019 at 7:02 pm

    both proton and perodua are disgrace, Malaysia dont need its own car brand due to the market size

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • katak dungu bawah tempurung on Sep 24, 2019 at 11:22 pm

    masalahnya ceo proton masih belum keluar dari bawah tempurung..tidak memberi arahan kepada r&d untuk rekaan yang bersesuaian dgn peredaran zaman..contohnya X70,kenapa harus kod X dan 5 seaters tiru merc dan tidak P7 untuk 7seaters SUV..zaman sekarang kenderaan lebih kepada pelbagai guna..5 seater sepatutnya terhad kepada sedan dan hatchbck kerana saiz yg terhad..sayang sekali kereta besar dari aruz tapi cuma 5s..SUV dan MPV zaman sekarang sepatutnya 7s atau 8s untuk bersaing dgn fortuner etc..jenama lain dah bersaing dengan pick up hilux dan alphard toyota,proton masih terkial2 dalam segmen ‘sedan’..yang sedih lagi,makin model facelift semakin mundur design yang makin hodoh dan tidak praktikal..contohnya persona..lagi sedih,jenama lain bersaing cipta kereta baru yang efficien,proton masih dengan enjin dan berat kereta yang kuat dengan pembaziran petrol..sampai bila proton akan buka mata dan akal untuk keluarkan kenderaan yang memukau dan memikat blogger dunia..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
    • suomynona on Sep 25, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      Inilah,
      •Keluar SUV, knapa x saing dgn Fortuner (lagi mahal btw)
      •Keluar Sedan, semua pesaing masuk market SUV, design hodoh,
      •Pesaing ada model baru & efficient, Proton enjin lama & kuat makan minyak (enjin mereka skrg boleh buat sampai 600km woi)

      Inilah dia, Typical Basher

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Amelia on Sep 24, 2019 at 11:24 pm

    Who is Syed Faisal trying to dupe?

    First? Sure.
    Only? No.

    Perodua made the new MyVi and the Bezza on its own too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • PlainBS on Sep 25, 2019 at 9:03 am

    Ya right, can I have some of you are smoking right now?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Visited Sumatra last year. Saw an Axia with toyota/daihatsu logo. Bezza is Axia with a booth, still a toyota/daihatsu?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Predict Malaysia vehicle sales data for August 2019 by brand:-
    1. Perodua @ Mumm-Ra – 19500 units
    2. Proton @ Thundercats – 9127 units
    3. Honda – 7500 units
    4. Toyota – 5500 units
    5. Nissan – 2000 units

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • OEM dreamer on Sep 25, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    hello bro…wake up please…those who act so defensive claiming that P2 is purely OEM actually don’t know much about automotive industry…this article mentioned “P1 is still the only proper OEM car manufacturer in the country” no one can argue based PIES models that P1 own currently, but are these models contributing well for the sales??can p1 reveal out of 9127 units sold in Aug, how many percent contributed by PIES??do so called “OEM models” success??? x-70 onwards..your models will be line up by Geely, which is “REBADGE”. so for me claiming the proper OEM meaningless..because only no brain peoples proud of worse achievement even new invention created.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 3
    • P1P2 same on Sep 26, 2019 at 1:12 am

      Agree with OEM dreamer, like you invented new menu “nasi lemak pork goreng”..looks very delicious..but only 10 customer buy your nasi lemak everyday compare to your friend also having nasi lemak stall but taken the recipe which almost same with kg baru nasi lemak…he managed to get 100 customers perday..which one better…hahah..p1 actually spit to the air but end up fall in their face..p2 and p1 same currently…51% own by local 49% own by foreign companies…dont dream bout national car because its proven nobody can survive without tie up with any experienced companies..lesson learnt for P1…lets work on how to help the local vendors on how to survive..to feed food to their family members..lets work together..whatever written in NAP actually good for malaysian automotive industry.thats why next national carmaker should be privately funded not gomen funded..abes duit tax aku byr lebur kt p1..no return..just to pay the debt owed to the local vendors…PEACE!!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • From 9127 units, X70 got 2000 units, PIES got 7000 units and other model 127 units.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • OEM dreaming on Sep 26, 2019 at 12:45 pm

        7000 shared by 4 models? 1750 for each model, are u satisfy with the volume?sumore, it’s a facelift, refresh product…myvi itself no facelift already almost 7000 units…in business, we are talking about profit not level of skills.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • john doe on Sep 26, 2019 at 11:17 am

    all this contribute to China GDP!! dude!

    no shame land.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Sep 27, 2019 at 12:21 am

    you might as well go claim you developed the accord and honda stole your ideas

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Helder Postiga on Sep 27, 2019 at 11:43 am

    what the f*** is almost everyone commented here doesn’t even understand the statement. What he said was right 100%. Proton remains the only OEM in the country as they are still making and selling their own developed models aka Persona, Iriz, Exora and the Saga. And they will eventually be OEM in the future because they will develop their own cars by the assist technology from Geely & Volvo. Not just by rebadging Geely cars as Perodua did from all of their cars model. Proton has only been given license to rebadge 3 Geely cars as the started of their joint venture. This is to turn Proton into the right track again. After these 3 models Proton will have enough time to co-develope at least 1 or 2 entirely new models.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
    • Ricardo Quaresma on Sep 27, 2019 at 3:52 pm

      Don’t be fooled by the comment sections here. It’s only the battlefield for salesman (as they claimed it to be). It’s entertainment for old footballers like us.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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