Over four years have gone by since Proton began its official partnership with Geely. Among the earliest promises at the time were: to return the national automaker back to profitability; to unseat Perodua as the top Malaysian automaker; and to leverage Proton’s manufacturing facilities to boost growth in the ASEAN region.
Now, under the newly announced Smart Geely 2025 roadmap, Geely plans to achieve a global sales target of 3.65 million units, and it will do so by entering new markets and launching more than 25 new electrified smart vehicles.
In the announcement, Geely also reaffirmed its goal to offer continued support for Proton to make it the number one automaker in Malaysia, and the top three in the ASEAN region. So far, the Proton-Geely tie-up has lived up to the promise of launching new or updated vehicles every year, and this is set to continue, along with the introduction of new products and technologies.
At the core of the Smart Geely 2025 strategy is Leishen Power, Geely’s new powertrain brand that includes a new modular hybrid powertrain platform dubbed Leishen Hi-X. There’s also other high-efficiency products such as a new hybrid transmission, dedicated hybrid engines, and a new generation E-Drive motor.
Expect the Leishen Power technologies to provide ultra-reliable hybrid vehicles, around 200 km of pure electric range for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a number of series hybrid cars with range extenders. Some of the powertrains are even capable of firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) updates, so this is truly cutting-edge stuff.
Whether or not Leishen Power will find its way to Proton models remain to be seen. But as we’ve learned, the R&D for Proton’s long-running CamPro engine has ended, and the automaker is moving towards the GEP3 three-cylinder engine that was developed by Volvo and Geely. This gives Proton the opportunity to enter markets with higher regulatory requirements and stricter emissions standards.
With Perodua openly exploring hybrid technologies and new policies promoting EV growth, it’s safe to finally say that the Malaysian automotive landscape is at the cusp of a major evolution. Thoughts?
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Tak payah pikir, tak payah pening, beli Proton saja.
China platform, engine X50 X70 sales tapau whole Honda Sales already.
Congratulations
China cars are getting better and acceptable
China scientist has invented the “quantum” chip that is thousands of times, the fastest American supercomputer.
Make no mistake,China is ahead of USA in many fields now.
DRB is fortunate to tie up with an ever progressive automobile maker,if not they are already in the museum being too Jurassic,by holding on to the campro engine.
Philippines also ASEAN country right?
Why using Geely brand name there ? LHD version just change and put Proton logo lah.
LHD RHD
Coz Philippines IS a LHD market country. Never been i see…
What has LHD market got to do with branding? Geely should still brand it as a Proton if they are serious about developing Proton. Looks like the Chinese company is only looking at increasing its profits and not serious about the Proton brand growth!
https://paultan.org/2017/06/23/no-plans-to-introduce-geely-brand-in-asean-proton-will-focus-on-the-region-as-a-right-hand-drive-hub/
Read: RIGHT HAND DRIVE HUB
Aiya just bring all geeky model and zeekr model in, not need rebadge also, sure no.1, but some people ego….
Really? How do you plan to drive LHD cars in RHD countries like Malaysia on a daily basis? Moronic much?
How can Proton be top 3 in Asean when Geely doesnt even dare use the Proton brand and name in Asean?
Where? Proton brandname are in Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore.
Hats off to Proton that has got the new partner at the right time. The EV tech at Geely as a group is fantastic (Volvo, London Black Cabs). They are in a prime position to benefit from the Budget 2022 announcements. I hope they do. As the only true-blue ASEAN OEM, they must carry the flag proudly. Shared platforms, shared tech, shared models are nothing new.
Bring in hybrid models, and we’re good to go.
Agreed. Number 1 over night if Proton goes EV
Where are the new engines that Proton made in collaboration with Ricardo plc before Geely bought Proton shares?
No need to dig that up. The project has been cancelled and the engine’s patent has been bought by another Chinese firm. What a waste of money.
How can proton be number 3 in ASEAN ha? Can protons survive outside Malaysia? Especially for the Indonesian market, proton should make a factory because the government limits import of cars. Quotas on how many cars a company can import is decided by the government, at their discretion.
Dude RCEP is coming into effect soon. Are you aware of what RCEP would mean to auto industry in ASEAN? Generally kind of sad to read low knowledge comment and mentality of some readers here. No wonder hard for our country to maju ke hadapan
kopi&pasta “Leishen Power technologies to provide ultra-reliable hybrid vehicles, around 200 km of pure electric range for plug-in hybrid vehicles” – WOW
please improve on the aftersales