Earlier today, Proton announced the formation of a subsidiary – Proton New Energy Technology (Pro-Net) – to “spearhead sales and distributorship for smart vehicles and its own future new energy vehicle offerings”.
Now, we already know about Proton being the distributor for smart in Malaysia and Thailand (general distributorship agreement between both parties were signed last month, first model will be the smart #1 in Q4 2023) so it’s the “own future new energy vehicle offerings” part that caught the eye.
First of all, new energy vehicles (NEV) is a China term for electrified vehicles, which includes mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids, as well as full EVs, which are also called battery electric vehicles (BEV). The NEV umbrella term is not to be confused with EVs – it’s way more general.
Essentially, the line that describes Pro-Net’s reason to exist also confirms that Proton will have its own NEV in the future. This electrification journey for the Malaysian brand is likely to start with mild hybrids, before PHEVs and eventually EVs come into the picture. Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah touched on this electrification roadmap late last year.
The first step is set to be the mildest of hybrids, a regular engine coupled with a 48-volt belt-driven starter generator (BSG). Late last year, Proton showcased a 1.5 litre TGDi engine with a BSG at its Centre of Excellence (COE) showroom.
This 1.5T + BSG unit is serving in the Geely Azkarra (Boyue Pro) and Okavango (Haoyue) in the Philippines and produces 190 PS and 300 Nm. We’re also set to get the big seven-seater (likely to be called Proton X90), and the mild hybrid engine could very well debut along with that car. Next year perhaps? More on Proton’s journey with the 1.5L TGDi so far, and its future plans.
As for PHEVs and EVs, there are no shortage of donor cars for Proton to build on. Geely’s domestic range – from the X6-style Xingyue SUV coupe to the Jiaji MPV – typically have both MHEV and PHEV options, and there’s also the Geometry range of affordable full EVs.
Click on the links for more on Pro-Net and the 1.5 TGDi + BSG mild hybrid engine.
GALLERY: Proton 1.5 TGDi + BSG mild hybrid engine preview
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Which for Malaysia to choose?
P1 – https://paultan.org/2022/08/18/proton-and-smart-sign-distributor-agreement/
or
P2 – https://paultan.org/2022/09/09/perodua-axia-electric-ev/
all tok kok sing song if u don have spare parts for your current cars
Spare parts issue hve resolved long time ago lar. Readers here have confirmed it too, please wake up.
nice try proton salesman
Nice try resident perodua salesman
My friend saga also ask to wait few month. Have go few service center.
hybrid? heard it yrs ago from Proton. Always just talk but never really put in action. Others will really have actual flying car (not the stupid flying carcby the stupid minister) and yet Proton still talking only!
Where have you been, in a cave? Didnt realise proton has a new partner now? All the talk previously is from a previous management.
New partner? They also promise better after sales service. But what happened now? Still ao naive to believe before see the result?
Jgn jadi lagi satu usaha yg sia2 dari Proton macam Proton R&D centre.
At least proton does REAL R&D.
Teaser teaser.. dekat 20 tahun dah dengar teaser dia.