At the Proton Chinese New Year media appreciation dinner today, CEO Li Chunrong shared a few updates regarding the national carmaker’s future plans. Notably, these included a surprising announcement concerning its homegrown models, reinforcing the notion that its lineup won’t be entirely replaced by Geely-based models.
Li confirmed that Proton will be setting up a new R&D centre in Hangzhou, China specifically for the development of its homegrown models, currently consisting of the Saga, Persona and Iriz. This presumably means that it will benefit from closer cooperation with Geely, which is also based in Hangzhou.
As yet, it’s unclear if the new models will be a development of the current cars or be based on Geely’s platforms – like the B-segment Modular Platform (BMA) that underpins the X50 and S70.
Whichever route Proton takes, we can safety assume these cars won’t simply be rebadged versions of existing Geely models and will have considerably greater local input. Also unclear is the timeline for the introduction of these new homegrown cars, which has been intentionally left open for debate.
It’s also been confirmed that Proton will be introducing a New Energy Vehicle (NEV, think hybrid or electric vehicle) based not on a Geely platform, but on the Saga/Persona/Iriz platform. This will likely be a mild hybrid model that uses the 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine and 48-volt belt starter-generator (BSG) from the X90.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments indicate disappointment that Proton's upcoming models like Saga and Persona are developed in China, with concerns about losing Malaysian-ness and local R&D capability. Many appreciate that current models like Myvi and Iriz are locally designed and engineered, viewing Proton's shift as a move away from national identity. Several commentators criticize the reliance on Chinese vendors for parts and fear diminished local talent development. Others argue that Proton should focus on strong Malaysian R&D and maintain its national car status, while some feel that the company's collaborations have diluted its Malaysian roots, leading to skepticism about quality and originality. Overall, sentiments range from disappointed to hopeful for more local innovation, with many questioning the future of Proton as a truly Malaysian automaker.