Proton X30 SUV – will Proton go downmarket to compete with the Perodua Ativa and Honda WR-V?

Proton X30 front

This is a rendering by Theophilus Chin on what a Proton X30 could look like, using the latest Geely “Starburst Vision” SUV styling found on models such as the Boyue Cool and Boyue L.

Ever since the Perodua Ativa reignited the market for a sub-B SUV in Malaysia, other carmakers such as Honda have decided to follow suit in an attempt to take some of the Ativa’s sales numbers.

One confirmed example is the Honda WR-V, which has already been seen on test around Malaysia and is expected to be locally assembled at Honda’s Pegoh plant in Melaka.

Proton X30 rear

So the question now is, if even Honda is going after the Ativa SUV market share, will Proton go downmarket and play in that price range as well? Proton’s next launch is expected to be the Proton S50 sedan, would an X30 come after that?

Currently there doesn’t seem to be any modern Geely model that could be a suitable donor vehicle for a potential Proton X30. However, recently Geely exhibited an older but recently updated model called the Geely GX3 Pro at the 2023 Manila International Auto Show. It’s a subcompact SUV like the WR-V, powered by a 1.5 litre normally aspirated engine and a CVT gearbox.

In the meanwhile, Perodua seems to be going upmarket with an upcoming model codenamed the Perodua D66B, which many have started calling the Perodua Nexis.

What do you think, would you be in the market for a Proton SUV smaller than the Proton X50? Let us know in the comments section.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • Vezeroth on Apr 21, 2023 at 10:25 pm

    Why compete in the red sea when the blue sea is all yours.. focus on the premium large suv segment n be the best of the best

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 15
  • Sohai on Apr 21, 2023 at 10:50 pm

    Proton go downmarket?
    Proton is the downmarket…

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 88 Thumb down 30
    • Maybe on Apr 22, 2023 at 1:21 pm

      Hahaha….funny….
      Your sales must be affected by all the downmarket proton models.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 20
    • YB Kinte Kunte on Apr 22, 2023 at 8:43 pm

      Already x50,70,90.
      Whats lacking is new 1.3 to 1.6litres passenger cars.
      Dont forget the basic bread n butter lower end cars from 35-60K price range where P2 has a sizable market share.
      P1’s lower end models r already past its product life cycle.
      P2 has up to date Axia,Myvi.The Bezza update is coming soon.
      In order to compete successfully,u need to offer fresh models.Not stale bread with botox.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 8
      • The “up to date Axia” has the same stone old 67hp engine as it’s precessor. And a 4 star NCAP rating is far from “up to date”.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
      • Lato Sam Loo on Apr 23, 2023 at 4:46 pm

        Already x50,70,90.
        Whats lacking is new 1.3 to 1.6 litres passenger cars and also spare parts.
        Don’t forget the basic bread n butter lower end cars from 35-60K price range where P2 has a sizable new owners wanting to dispose/trade-in for so-called high RV.
        P1’s lower end models r already way past its product life cycle.
        But Paria2 has recycled Axia, Myvi served as new toilet. The Bezza update is coming soon, with the most pariah and problematic D-C.V.Taik across entire range, while eliminating MT option.
        In order to compete successfully, u need to offer fresh models. Not stale bread with botox coupled with Taik level of after sales service.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 9
        • Ajibkor in Kajang on Apr 23, 2023 at 8:45 pm

          Copy n paste old grandpa tokok.
          This is not original sam Loo.Just a protong lapdog.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
          • Lato Sam Loo on Apr 24, 2023 at 11:36 pm

            Dey, i am NOT a Protong lapdog. At current situation, I rather have both Protong and Pariadua to pack up and sold to other foreign automaker.

            Because of these 2 national junk car manufacturer, i cannot afford to buy a decent B-segment hatchback (eg Toyota Yaris) at Myvi price.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 8
  • Bla blaz on Apr 21, 2023 at 10:58 pm

    No need. Just upgrade x70 with latest model with hybrid engine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 3
  • The panda is an ev. Geely model of ice below x50 is the gx3 pro. This scaled down design of boyue L is looking too awkward

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Cantik! Approve!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 9
  • Laugh on Apr 22, 2023 at 2:34 am

    Dream on ppl…
    From what Proton have shown since x50.
    The prices are marked up highly for sale in Malaysia.

    So, I don’t think even if they bring in the x30.
    The price will be a big deciding factor.
    Do not forget about the current parts, service and higher maintenance issue of the x50 and x70.

    Proton no longer a Rakyat car manufacturer but merely a rebadged China car maker disguising to sell at higher profit margin.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 50 Thumb down 1
    • Right? on Apr 28, 2023 at 11:47 pm

      No choice brother. What choices do the Rakyats have?

      They are not united, that’s why capitalist always win.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Bossku on Apr 22, 2023 at 4:42 am

    Since when did Potong go upmarket? Price is heading towards upmarket vehicles, but quality is still Potong “quality”. I suppose one can see this as being “glass half-full” and be proud that Malaysians can afford “upmarket” priced vehicles!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 16
    • QE department on Apr 23, 2023 at 4:06 pm

      Then it should be easy for you to name at least 5 examples of this mysterious “Potong quality”.
      Or are you just a P2 saleman trying to spread FUD?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
  • Proton should be more worried with Chery’s re-entry into the Malaysia market. The only weapon Geely has is the price gap it has selling under the Proton name, nothing more.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
  • Geely owns Proton doesnt make Malaysians able to afford 23 models Geely has.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • R.R.L on Apr 22, 2023 at 8:08 am

    While they may have an array of bold looking cars, unfortunately geely models meant for export market is rather limited.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Haiso on Apr 22, 2023 at 8:56 am

    Perodua going upmarket? Perodua is upmarket!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 8
  • GengM on Apr 22, 2023 at 9:15 am

    Looks better than dugong Toyota…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 27
  • A smaller Proton SUV ? on Apr 22, 2023 at 9:51 am

    ONLY if Proton can out do Perodua in every department

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
  • Damien Chia on Apr 22, 2023 at 10:40 am

    roadmap no x30, not gonna compete against sister co Smart #1 segment

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • Nicholas on Apr 22, 2023 at 11:04 am

    Car coming beyound rich to many. Price keep going up. Employees paycheque most below 2k to 3k.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • nah geely don’t have any model that size cant rebadge.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Sorry on Apr 22, 2023 at 2:47 pm

    Theophilus sounds like an infection than a name….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
  • Komen alternatif on Apr 22, 2023 at 3:56 pm

    Macam nie lah. Biar perodua ambil maket kereta kecil dan proton focus kereta besar. Hujungnya semua dapat untung. Bila dapat untung jangan sombong dan lupa daratan. Nanti jadi dugong

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • So ideal if this is solely pure EV. In fact, it’s totally necessary for Proton to do this to get out of the stone age of spewing carbon, killing kids

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
  • Siapa budak Chin on Apr 22, 2023 at 5:45 pm

    Ugly. Better get a haval

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
  • Ming Hoe Boss on Apr 22, 2023 at 5:50 pm

    Proton is already for B40 and may be 10% of M40. Gor down market to B40 again?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
  • Last car before ev on Apr 22, 2023 at 6:26 pm

    A proper 4 cylinder 1.6NA timing chain engine please. For friendlier maintenance to owner after few years.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 6
  • Denny on Apr 22, 2023 at 6:52 pm

    Funny and good looking car but Proton doesn’t do anything about their fuel consumption which is bad. Look at Perodua whose engines are better. I thought Chinese are good in copying.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • We already have 2 SUVs and coming soon to be 3 SUVs.. Not a popular move if go for another SUV rather than sedan or MPV…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • X50 X70 uncleared ready stock on Apr 23, 2023 at 9:34 am

    Can get new X50, X70 within 1 week? COME choose your Chasis numbers

    Demand is flying

    DOWN

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 4
  • Nice, good, healthy competition

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • I have x50 and x70. I feel quality wise they are similar to lexus, mercedes or bmw

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
  • Donor on Apr 23, 2023 at 1:38 pm

    “Currently there doesn’t seem to be any modern Geely model that could be a suitable donor vehicle for a potential Proton X30.”
    Conclusion: No X30 in near future.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Proton is Geely copycat anyway no big deal talking about this company future car. May I know why all those previous CEO not doing anything to save Proton instead and keep on wasting money and resources of this so called National car brands?? Geely Chinaman CEO is the best anyway compared to all those s**t makan gaji buta-buta CEO. Geely is the best not Proton FYI..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
  • update the aging x70 and mc the x50

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Yalah on Apr 25, 2023 at 10:53 am

      It is so ahead of its time. Competition is yet to catch up. VW Tiguan doesn’t even have the equivalent safety features. No need to update.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Momos on Apr 24, 2023 at 10:58 am

    Proton still need alot update like paddle shifter! And memory seat! And multiple color chosen

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Momos on Apr 24, 2023 at 10:59 am

    Proton car future missing something like paddle shifter and memory seat

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Chang Ah Leong on Apr 24, 2023 at 11:44 am

    Good look

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Stewie griffin on Apr 24, 2023 at 11:56 am

    No need to launch new model, we rakyat no need geely, dnga is what we want

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • Proton 90's king on Apr 24, 2023 at 12:15 pm

    Sub rm60k B segment is the market mainstream. Replace the campro and punch cvt with fuel saving easy maintenance engine and gearbox.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
    • Shifter on Apr 24, 2023 at 3:54 pm

      Punch cvt is only a problem for those internet heros, who would never buy a Proton. All users who have a Proton with punch cvt have only small complains.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
      • Proton 90's king on Apr 24, 2023 at 9:28 pm

        Try to read iriz or persona vvt community facebook. There is a very fatal problem with the punch cvt gearbox. The brake & esc signal will appear and the car will free gear on the middle drive. Dianogsed u will get error code of secondary pulley pressure low, atleast rm4k to overhaul the gearbox. Im a ex persona 2016 owner, no more punch cvt car for the rest of my life.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
        • LAGI WORST on Apr 25, 2023 at 10:42 am

          C-segment Preve a nightmare

          Past 5 Hari Raya Preve model tarak Raya setvice discount

          Abandonware from Proton

          IF you need a used car avoid PREVE

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
        • shifter on Apr 25, 2023 at 11:19 am

          I don’t need to read facebook fairy tales written by P2 and Toyota fans. I have several neighbours with punch cvt. They never had this problem.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Ken Ng on Apr 25, 2023 at 10:11 am

    I feel, Proton should release a facelifted X70. A car with proven sales and would attract later buyers who are ready now and also many current owners would upgrade. Make it happen Geely/Proton!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Ching Chong on Apr 27, 2023 at 12:27 pm

    Proton not going downmarket by introducing X30, they are actually going down to the drain. Nuff said.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Gordon on May 21, 2023 at 12:57 pm

    Proton no longer productive. Only know how to rebadge Geely model with the same 1.5 3-cylinder engine across a few models. Even basic like Android Auto and Apple Car Play also unable to provide as standard.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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