The Proton X70 has been caught testing in Karachi, Pakistan. According to CarSpiritPK.com, Proton’s Pakistani partner Al-Haj Automotive is in the process of introducing a range of Proton vehicles, and is already testing the Saga, which will be the first Proton model to be introduced there.
Now it looks like the X70 is in the distributor’s plans too, as camouflaged units have been spotted on the road. The report says that Al-Haj has imported multiple units of the X70 from Malaysia for trials ahead of an anticipated 2021 launch. The front grille confirms that it’s the X70 and not the Geely Boyue that the Proton is based on.
The same website says that the Pakistan market will receive the Proton X70 with a 1.5 litre turbo engine used by other Geely and Volvo models, and not the 181 hp/300 Nm 1.8 litre turbo engine in our CKD X70. The smaller 174 hp/255 Nm engine is a better fit there because of Pakistan’s tax structure. Like our X70, the 1.5L engine will be paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which replaces the previous conventional six-speed auto.
In March 2019, Proton announced that it will set up a local assembly plant in Pakistan, which will be owned and operated by Al-Haj. The factory will be built at a greenfield site in Karachi with an initial investment of US$30 million (RM126 million), and is expected to commence operations before the end of this year. As part of the agreement, Al-Haj will be the sole distributor for Proton vehicles in Pakistan.
In April 2019, Proton exchanged documents with Al-Haj for a licensing and technical assistance agreement related to the building of the Karachi factory. The ceremony was witnessed by prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad – who was then in Beijing for the Belt and Road forum – and Geely chairman Li Shufu. Mahathir had also gifted a unit of the X70 to Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan.
“Expanding the sales of Proton vehicles outside of Malaysia is vital for us to achieve our long-term goals and we therefore hope for the Pakistan automotive market to be one of our growth engines for the future,” Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar said in the March 2019 announcement.
The locally-assembled CKD Proton X70 was launched here earlier this month – read/view our review here.
GALLERY: 2020 Proton X70 Premium X 2WD
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Proton was only focusing on Australia and Uzk even though only few units sold each year because the officers like to go there and extend the visit like a holiday. This is where proton failed as a car manufacturer. It should have established itself in as many markets as possible. Why now Pakistan is interested in proton? That means proton didn’t push it’s cars hard enough.
If can sell 1k a year in 100 countries, then proton could have had 100k on top of another 100k sold locally. Or 250k.when it was top selling on Malaysia in 2003-04
We oso love holidays in Turki, UK and Iran…hehe
Luaskan kuasamu P1! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Malaysians are a funny lot when it comes to cars and branding (rather, brainwashing). They are very enthusiastic about the 1.5l turbocharged engine from Honda for the CRV but would absolutely stay away from the Volvo-developed 1.5l 3-pot turbo engine (used in the XC40) for the X70.
Mesian lot are easy to brainwash but they still remain stupid. They were brainwashed that change was good but now many of them complaining why change again. Ironic isn’t it?
Pakistan already? Sudah jatuh standard? Not Australia or Iceland like last time meh?
Good job, testing before launch. Not like other car manufacturer never do on the road test but immediate launch to market.
Ohsem 1.5turbo …shud buy 1 recond frm there.
Well done proton malaysia. Hope the next upgrade Malaysia proton engineer can localise more. Current X70 only the grill is Malaysia effort. Rest semua original China component and design. Well done well done and well done
Pakistan gets actual 1.5L Tebu Geely+Volvo engine, Malaysia?
That’s a downgrade, power wise. I’d rather have 181 hp/300 nm for this heavy car.
Malaysia will get that combo in X50, wait for it.
Syukur x100. Proton sudah boleh jual macam pisang goreng at oversea.