Prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said Proton and Geely have expressed interest in setting up an electric vehicle (EV) production facility in Thailand. No details were provided, but according to a report by Associated Press, Thailand prime minister Srettha Thavisin said both countries would discuss the matter soon.
Meanwhile, Reuters and Bangkok Post reported Srettha as saying the EV plant will be operated by a joint venture between the two carmakers. “They (Proton and Geely) look to set up an EV factory in Thailand, with a meeting to be held later and hopefully, a clear next step can be establish and move forward quickly,” Srettha said in a joint press conference during his official visit to Malaysia on Wednesday (October 11, 2023).
Proton and Chinese carmaker Geely are looking to set up an EV factory in Thailand. PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says his Thai counterpart is open to the proposal. #AWANITonight #AWANInews pic.twitter.com/kVajxNuu84
— Astro AWANI (@501Awani) October 12, 2023
At present, Geely holds a 49.9% stake in Proton, while the remaining 50.1% is held by DRB-Hicom, which recently signed a master collaboration agreement (MCA) with the Chinese company for the development of Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjong Malim, Perak. Geely will commit RM32 billion in investments to make Malaysia its production hub for export markets, Anwar said on Tuesday (October 10, 2023).
News of Proton and Geely’s interest in setting up an EV plant in Thailand is surprising, as it is effectively the opposite of what was reported by local media back in August this year. At the time, it was said Geely supposedly cancelled any plans to set up EV production in Thailand.
Furthermore, Proton recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with smart Automobile to explore the possibility of locally assembling smart vehicles in Tanjung Malim. Previously, Proton also said that its partnership with smart will teach the company how to assemble EVs. Have the plans changed since? Comment your thoughts below.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Byd has gone very far ahead in Thailand now producing the seal and it’s blade batteries in rayong while changan motor catching up in huge investment on spare parts and ev batteries factory in eastern side of Thailand including smaller players like gwm and mg neo ions all more than seven Chinese companies are also investing means building manufacturing plants and showrooms all over thailand
So Anwar is the PM of Thailand… ; )
Which is which…confusing
Tanjung Malim sets to be a global automotive hub through AHTV
Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 at Breaking News | News | Wheels
by AKMAR ANNUAR / pic credit: PMO
DRB-HICOM Bhd and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. signed a Master Collaboration Agreement (MCA) as a next step in the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) Project, witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, today in Tanjung Malim, Perak.
Prior to the signing of the agreement, PM chaired a high-level AHTV project development meeting which included senior members of the AHTV Project team as well as federal and state government officials.
The AHTV Project, spearheaded by Zhejiang Geely and DRB-HICOM is worth RM32 million.
Through the mega project, Tanjung Malim will be transformed into a global automotive centre for new energy vehicles (NEVs), with a focus on talent development, research and development (R&D), and urbanisation.
According to DRB-HICOM, the MCA establishes the basic principles, governance framework, and mutual commitment of the AHTV project, as well as duties to be taken on for development and promotional campaigns.
“Its focus will be not only on the production of various makes of automobiles, but also on the production of high-technology components and parts for NEVs. This will enable local vendors to specialise in high-technology manufacturing,” it said in a statement.
DRB-HICOM group chief operating officer for properties and corporate planning and strategy, Azri Zaharuddin signed on behalf of the company, while Dr Wei Mei, senior vice president and chief operating officer represented Geely Holding.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang; Geely Holding chairman Eric Li and Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar.
On top of the MCA, a Heads of Agreement (HOA) was also signed by Altel Communications Sdn Bhd (Altel) and Geely Holding’s Zhejiang Geespace Technology Co Ltd (Geespace) at the same venue today.
The HOA will accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions in sectors such as smart ports by focusing on the development and implementation of high-technology systems, according to a press release.
Signing on behalf of the telecommunications provider, Altel was Richard Kitts, its group chief executive officer, while Geespace was represented by its chief executive officer Tony Wang.
On the AHTV project, Anwar Ibrahim hopes the project will succeed as planned.
“The support of the Unity Government and the smooth running of this project serve as an example to investors of Malaysia’s approach in facilitating investment efficiently and promptly,” he wrote on his social media.
https://themalaysianreserve.com/ … e-hub-through-ahtv/
Clueless bodow PN goondos went to south. Smart ones head North.. Lolzz!
Anwar menang, Thailand senang
Melayu Malap tak boleh?
wire + masuk N
negara Bunga RAYU
Pakatan Hopeless you mean with flip flop decisions…some more transport minister from dap…
you can criticise Pakatan but not Anthony Loke. He is one of the few good ministers. Even BN wanted him to join them when they were opposition dulu
Dah lama sangat duk sekatil dng Geng lobai walaonpas.. Orrg cerdik pon bole jdi bongok. Kikiki
Meaning even Geely don’t want to invest in Malaysia.. That is how bad our automotive policy (be it EV or NA) is to foreign investment. telling us Geely “AND” Proton want to setup production in Thai just want to save face for politician.. As if this is a joint decision from Geely and Proton. Very obvious is Malaysia lost to Thai again in attracting more investments in automotive industries.
We have 3 roadblocks, Proton, Perodua and our government’s love for easy income in the form of outlandishly high excise duties plus not to mention all the little things they do in the background to drive away the foreign companies to protect their own tongkat gang, standing in the way of our entire automotive industry, of course it’s bad.
May i know why not in Malaysia when we Malaysian needed it More ?
PMX kena tipu dengan geli-geli…. hahaha… invest 30B konon… letak nama proton kasi PMX geli-geli sikit…
Setup in Thailand but owned by malaysian. OK tak?
Blame the Father of Thailand Automotive industry that made Rayong the Detroit of the East (instead of MY here) and repeatedly violating the AFTA agreement just to prop the epic failed pet car project.
Who is that??
I wonder why not too
why not? Instead of losing it all, might as well we own a piece.
This all because of Malaysia tendencies to flip-flop policies to suit political & racial needs.
No one dares to gamble that the “<RM100k EV sales banned" will not continue post 2025. Not even DRB Hicom (Proton Majority Share holder) wants to face with situation whereby "Factory Up in Malaysia, producing affordable EV @ RM60k, cannot sell to the target customer segment here due to pricing floor of RM100k)
For as long AP policy stays, no hope of spreading to ASEAN market to benefit from AFTA.
Why not come Malaysia?
1. Ownership restriction
2. Too many public holidays
3. Labour shortage
4. Cheap fuel (why need EV?)
5. Confusing AP system
6. Beer expansive, certain places cannot wear shorts. No concert. Not attractive for expat.
then migrate lah bodoh…
You so smart, then what is the reason people dont want to come but choose Thailand instead?
Maybe because in Thailand there are no religious extremist parties that try to take over gov 24/7. that is why Geely select Thailand. Malaysia is regressing due to the extremists’ policies.
We know why right? Because of the quota rule la apa lagi…
All those useless directors goyang telor makan gaji buta…
After working with PRC, i can tell that they really cannot tahan these type of people.
Geely builds EVs in Thailand – Pitch forks come out, government useless. We need EV plant in Malaysia!
Same people – EV is a scam, a fad. Charging slow. They are worse for environment. EVs only go 50% of claimed range. EVs burn. Battery needs replacement after 48 months. All the myths come out.
All are myths that have been debunked by the way
this is the art of manipulation = rhetoric = politician.
patong is nicer than kota baru
If Tesla can get away from all the restrictions and red tapes in our automotive policy, why can’t Geely and Proton EV manufacturing?
Why go to Thailand truly? Something fishy is going on here.
I will make the same decision if I am CEO of Geely. Still remember that director Lee wanted to bring changes but had to give up after a big riot by the workers? Here, labour law protects them too well!
Geely just use proton name to bring it’s product to Malaysia.