Proton developing new platforms for future models, to be closer to Geely-developed vehicles – Azlan Othman

Proton developing new platforms for future models, to be closer to Geely-developed vehicles – Azlan Othman

Proton currently sells two different types of cars – the indigenously-developed Persona, Iriz, Exora, and Saga, as well as the rebadged, Geely-developed X70. While they share a few design cues and features like the Geely Key User Interface (GKUI), they are still distinctly separate products. That may not be the case in the near future, however, as the company promises a convergence in the way they look.

Speaking to us in an interview today, Proton’s head of design, Azlan Othman, said that the future lineup would be more harmonious, with the in-house models being radically different from what they are now. “There will come a point where the “legacy” cars will not be the cars you are familiar with today. They may retain the name, but not the look.”

To do that, the company is developing new platforms that will underpin its next homegrown cars. These are being built in collaboration with Geely, although it’s unclear if Proton will get access to the Chinese carmaker’s B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) and Compact Modular Architecture (CMA).

The new cars will be more distinctive in terms of design. Today’s X70 features minimal aesthetic changes over the Geely Boyue, and these elements have been adapted to fit the company’s other models through their respective facelifts. Azlan said that this conservative approach was down to the pressure to develop new products that would generate sales volume and profit.

Proton developing new platforms for future models, to be closer to Geely-developed vehicles – Azlan Othman

As such, Proton initially focused on developing cars quickly to suit the ongoing market conditions, so design took a back seat. However, Azlan promised a more adventurous look for future models. “[Our work] now is going into those [cars] to come up with something extraordinary.”

Building cars from the ground up is important for Proton to become Geely’s right-hand-drive hub, Azlan said, and the company remains committed to making next-generation cars for the Southeast Asian region, including countries like Thailand and Indonesia. To amortise the cost of developing the new platforms, the company is offering them to Geely to help create vehicles that could enter new market segments.

“When you think about China, you think SUVs and big cars, right? No one [there] is really looking to build efficient people movers or small cars, because they think the Chinese don’t want them. But we feel differently,” he said.

As for when we can expect the new cars to come to showrooms, Azlan declined to give a specific timeframe, but he said that they will come “sooner rather than later, hopefully.”

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Won ton mee on Jul 06, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    Amazing achievement by Geely! This shows that Geely is trully a Game-Changing carmaker that is able to revive a Game Over carmaker like Proton. Without Geely, what will be Proton’s future?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 40
    • Jeremy on Jul 06, 2020 at 6:50 pm

      By following P2 winning mantra, crucial for P1 to build efficient people movers or small cars,

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
    • Go back school on Jul 06, 2020 at 7:12 pm

      Yes proton go ahead with ur future plan.
      Its just another plan toward another failure.
      Anything p1 plan always failed.
      P1 should learn from perodua 1st, send proton staff and engineer rombongan sambil belajar to kilang perodua.
      Perodua since borned til now never had any problem never fail. So proton really need to learn from perodua.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 43
      • Locals prefer sekenhen jepunis, not new p1 cars

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 15
      • Albert Yong on Jul 07, 2020 at 9:20 am

        We have to thank China, Geely and Li CHunrong for all this vision and success. Without them, don’t know where will we be.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 16
      • Perodua only needs to cut and paste so there are few problems with the product. Proton is design and manufacturing, coupled with local talent with less experience, so the final product is not as good as a 100-year car manufacturer.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
    • lenny on Jul 06, 2020 at 7:55 pm

      lmao. ok i mean its nothing new in the car world. working with another company. atleast we try to make something intresting.tbh im suprised that proton even got this far in such a small matket

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
    • Civic Turbo 2018 on Jul 06, 2020 at 8:06 pm

      (YES) Copying
      (NO) Developing

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 10
    • Coming from Azlano who screwed up the Pondana’s rear bumper with not only fake exhaust tips, those fake tips were body-coloured! Somehow this nutjob is still employed at the china car rebadger company.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
      • Truckers on Jul 07, 2020 at 9:58 pm

        When even Evoque copies this design philosophy you’d know Proton was on to something good.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Just bring in the X50 48V MHEV and PHEV for fuel economy.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • Raja Celup on Jul 06, 2020 at 11:55 pm

      The battery capacitor, inverter unit, electric aircond compressor will cost a bomb to repair and replace.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Made in China, battery and parts very cheap. Don’t worry car manufacturer also giving 8years warranty for hybrids

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 4
  • Ken Yap on Jul 06, 2020 at 6:45 pm

    In future, once Proton bring the rest of future Geely platform models, people will be more attractive to buy Proton Bin Rui (S50), Proton Borui, Proton Iriz with new Geely platform with greater features. Then it is most likely that Some of Honda Sales will be eaten by Proton Sales.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 3
    • Jamus on Jul 06, 2020 at 7:02 pm

      Bro, why are you so obsessed with Honda? Lol

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 12
      • Ken Yap on Jul 07, 2020 at 12:26 am

        This is the real facts bro. Get in your mind bro. Enjoy your day!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 2
    • Include eaten Toyota and Nissan sales market because now Proton compete with TNH in term of sales volume.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • the driver on Jul 06, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    China designed cars are still years behind

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 18
    • Syer1n on Jul 07, 2020 at 8:47 am

      On the contrary have you seen the new kia and honda? I’m not sure the direction they’re evolving. Most probably backwards.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Absolute Rider on Jul 06, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    May I know how many platforms Proton going to develop? For sure it will be a modular platform. Perhaps 2 platforms to cover A and B segments and one for B+ and C segments. Just my 2 cents.

    Please do it like BMA or CMA or better. BMA a bit like Toyota TNGA GA-B which the rear end can support either torsion beam or multi link suspension setup. Example of BMA using torsion beam setup are Bin Rui, Bin Yue (Proton X50). BMA with Multi Link suspension setup is Geely Icon.

    Lower gravity design plus more Hot Press Foaming (HPF) and Ultra High Strength Steel (UHHS)… plus plus…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
    • Ex VGM staff on Jul 07, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      If I remember correctly, Geely had mentioned during the initial stage of partnership it won’t allow proton to develop its own new cars if it’s not making money or just at breakeven point.

      Proton officials know that means it’s either a rebadge job like x70 or with some minor changes like lights, bumpers, mirrors, wheel designs or the most proton can do is to create a whole new body on Geely platform just like the Mk.III Perdana.

      No more words like ride & handling (Geely won’t push things that proven not to sell) because even though proton cars handle twice better than Perodua, they cannot beat the success of showroom.stories Perodua have.

      Proton will need new approach. Proton cannot boast too much on aspects of design – let the people talk about that. When proton talks so many things about their cars it’s called syiok sendiri. So Azlan, shut the fart up!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Theres still long way to go for proton to have face again. Proton shld launch at least 2 models every year. And it should be developed with significant engineering n design frm proton with shared tech frm geely/volvo. Something like SEAT or Skoda with VW. No more rebadge.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
  • Where are your electric cars Proton? Obtain so much of grant from Government and nothing is materialized.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 7
    • Would you pay Rm80k for an EV Iriz? Guess not huh. So why would they bother to sell you one?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 2
    • Anonymous on Jul 06, 2020 at 11:55 pm

      All the grants that the government gave were only enough for research and development. Manufacturing, marketing, and distributing them costs a lot more. The problem is largely not Proton. Malaysia – in fact the whole of SEA – is just not ready for EV. We have relatively poor EV infrastructure, and the vast majority of SEA car buyers don’t have the buying power. Why would Proton (or Geely) invest in developing or manufacturing something people won’t buy?
      Yes they can export it, but that is a gamble given the stiff competition by more established and reliable brands making cheaper and cheaper EVs like Skoda, SEAT, Nissan and Honda. Proton is yet to be financially strong enough, and have the reputation and prestige to penetrate the EV market.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 5
    • Think first on Jul 07, 2020 at 1:39 am

      Malaysian market not ready for electric cars. For proof, just look at Dyson EV that failed despite billions of dollars spent. And you need to learn what is governmental grant.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  • Dylan Ch'ng on Jul 06, 2020 at 8:34 pm

    I feel like the Iriz platform still has a lot of life left in it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 4
  • Silthice on Jul 06, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    Look like the iriz/persona platform will retire prematurely together with the HPF maybe… Hopefully the HPF body frame will be embedded in the new platform.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Absolute Rider on Jul 06, 2020 at 8:54 pm

    What happened to the RM600 million R&D engine development with Ricardo back in 2015? The GDI and TGDI.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
  • Truth on Jul 06, 2020 at 9:33 pm

    so proton will become china made cars la, what a shame

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 9
  • seancorr (Member) on Jul 06, 2020 at 9:46 pm

    Should just stick to rebadging la Proton. Did you even bother to do a survey on overseas markets to gauge whether your brand is well received or not? What sort of evidence or facts do you have to warrant building your own platform? Even super big brands like VW, Mercedes and even Toyota are doing JV to bring down platform development costs and here we have Proton wanting to develop their own. I guess they can just go to the government again to ask for grant at the expense of the rakyat and Geely will be happy since they don’t need to inject their own capital into Proton.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 9
  • Maria on Jul 06, 2020 at 9:47 pm

    I think maybe p1 should only use the geely platform including engine and transmition and design thier car in thier own way. This will reduce the cost of development rather than building the new platform. Maybe p1 can take example of Skoda which sit under VW umbrella. They use mqb platform including tsi engine and dsg gearbox but still designing the car by thier own.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Crasher7 on Jul 06, 2020 at 10:28 pm

    Maybe the new platform compared to Geely platform is like how Daihatsu DNGA in relation to Toyota’s TNGA. Share similar engineering but with several key differences.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • sam123 on Jul 07, 2020 at 8:00 am

    rebadge sahaja la, save more costing..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
    • Rakyat Malaysia on Jul 07, 2020 at 11:21 am

      So how would help to develop our economy and improve our future generations?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Suka_kereta on Jul 07, 2020 at 8:09 am

    Yeah.. tell the whole world your plans & strategies, until you tinggal gusi.. then when they don’t materialize, you swallow your pride without any guilt & create new fairy tales. Bravo!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • Hayenadeblue on Jul 07, 2020 at 9:48 am

    I love it when PaulTan reviewer (Hafriz, if I’m not mistaken) review cars and saying “this is not Iriz, in term of handling” and hope that Geely does not push aside Proton engineer in the development of the new platform. I love my Iriz, its handling is superb but poor CVT tranny.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • One just need to look at the enormous success of home grown products like exora, latest myvi and Bezza

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
    • But Myvi and Bezzare aren’t homegrown, merely rebadges. Only one homegrown on your list is Exora which ironically is a Proton own developed car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Bye original Proton cars. You are fast becoming the sale centre of Geely cars in South East Asia.

    Chinese gov are smart in moving behind their corporations to conquer the world.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 5
  • james RR on Jul 07, 2020 at 10:27 am

    Azlan Othman still alive? i thought he was fired by Geely.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • Sivapragasam on Jul 07, 2020 at 10:54 am

    First look at the service and repairs stations. After 6 weeks I have not been able to get a firm date when my car will be ready. Always spare parts not received. No wander cars not sent to proton after the free service period.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • nexgen on Jul 07, 2020 at 10:54 am

    Iriz/Persona platform – nexgen Saga, nexgen Savvy, X30

    BMA platform – nexgen Persona, nexgen Iriz, X50, nexgen Ertiga

    CMA platform – nexgen Preve, nexgen Suprima, nexgen Exora, nexgen X70, nexgen Perdana

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Annoynimouse on Jul 07, 2020 at 12:27 pm

    Well, I hope they get the proportions right for their future models. Humpty dumpty looks, with bloated bodies on shrunken wheel arches and small wheels look silly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • johnweak on Jul 07, 2020 at 4:01 pm

    proton..ptui!..geely or not also wont touch it forever

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 6
 

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