Proton should expand global footprint, increase exports to Europe, South America – PM Anwar Ibrahim

Proton should expand global footprint, increase exports to Europe, South America – PM Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysian carmaker Proton has been called upon to expand its global presence, prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in his speech at the launch of the Proton EV plant in Tanjung Malim today.

Anwar emphasised the importance of leveraging Malaysia’s international relationship to market Proton cars globally, in particular at the upcoming 47th Aesan Summit where the prime minister wants the national carmaker to showcase its electric vehicle models.

“Apart from our Asean compatriots like China, South Korea, India, and Japan, more countries will attend. Presidents from Brazil and South Africa will also [be present]. We want to bring the heads of states and delegates from the participating countries to see for themselves the capabilities, performance, and technology of Proton, so that we can penetrate their market,” the prime minister said.

Anwar expressed gratitude to China for sharing technology with Malaysia especially in the automotive industry. “Their readiness to allow the transfer of technology at various levels gave opportunities to our youth to create our own products,” he said.

The Malaysian prime minister also hoped that EV models from Proton can be priced lower for the needs of the middle-income group, and said that he was informed that prices can be reduced to a competitive level, and meet the needs of car buyers with lower income.

Newly launched today, the Proton electric vehicle plant in Tanjung Malim was constructed at a cost of RM82 million and has a first-phase capacity of 20,000 vehicles a year. This can be increased to 45,000 units annually, depending on demand from local and overseas markets.

Output from this plant begins with the eMas 7, which first arrived on the market as a CBU import from China, and this will be joined by the smaller eMas 5 later on.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • SCion on Sep 04, 2025 at 4:37 pm

    proton tell geely he wants to make LHD car?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hu Wer on Sep 04, 2025 at 4:46 pm

    Like how Chery’s tech backs Jetour, icaur, Jaecoo & Omoda, Geely’s global engineering gives Proton its credibility. This partnership is the key to going global.

    Anwar is right. This partnership builds Malaysian capability. Proton’s global success is built on Geely’s engineering, not in spite of it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • Every PM keep repeating the same story but the margins proton make locally is so huge it makes no sense to sell overseas and make thin margins. Our protection barrier is too high inlike in south korea when they started and in japan where tariffs f imported cars are just 20% more than local cars..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Kony Chée Wah on Sep 04, 2025 at 6:12 pm

    Senang saja bikin badge sama grill

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • FrankC on Sep 04, 2025 at 6:26 pm

    Dear PMX, competition in automotive industry have changed. it is all about automotive company’s supply chain efficiency. it is important that Proton’s own supply chain achieve global competitiveness. maybe not all of them but gradually get upgraded to be good enough to enter Geely supply chain. make parts for Geely. Then Proton will survive. The value from this will be as good as proton presence in global market.

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