Today, PROTON made new history. Returning from a working trip to China, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato Sri Anwar Ibrahim today launched the first electric vehicle (EV) factory in Malaysia owned by Proton Holdings Berhad at Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV), Tanjung Malim, Perak.
With Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’s support over nearly a decade in Malaysia with its partnership with PROTON cars, Malaysians have witnessed technology transfer, local talent development and strategic investments that are important for the country’s automotive progress.
Prime Minister remarked ‘I appreciate Geely’s commitment in strengthening AHTV and informed they will be starting a local assembly (CKD) of the Zeekr electric car brand here as well.
Insya-Allah, with the continued support of MADANI Government, PROTON is able to be a proud brand of Malaysia in the world market’.
The facility which is located in western Perak state’s Automotive High-Tech Valley which is also Malaysia’s main auto manufacturing hub will have initial annual capacity to produce 20,000 cars starting with the e:MAS 7 and very soon the e:MAS 5. But that could be scaled up to 45,000 units per annum.
The Malaysian government is seeking to position itself as a regional hub for electric vehicles and is aiming to make EVs and hybrids 20 percent of all new car sales by 2030.
Interesting to note that this project has seen around RM82m in investment to date.
PROTON’s target to start producing EV models in Tanjung Malim is in-line with the company’s commitment to fulfil the Malaysian government’s EV industrialisation plan and subsequently stimulate EV sales traction in Malaysia.
Guided by related directions spelled out in key policies, namely the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP), National Automotive Policy (NAP 2020), Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint (LCMB), and New Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the target is for local production of Proton EV models to begin by the end of 2025, just before all PROTON manufacturing operations are fully consolidated in Tanjung Malim, signifying a significant accomplishment of the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV).
