Proton launches eMAS 7 assembly from CKDs in Malaysia
Malaysian vehicle maker Proton has launched its first electric vehicle assembly plant in Tanjong Malim.
Proton has launched its first EV assembly plant in Tanjong Malim at the Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV) automotive complex in western Perak state. The plant will begin production this month with an annual capacity of 20,000 units but Proton said that could be scaled up to 45,000.
Production will begin with the e.MAS 7, Proton’s first EV. That will be followed by the e.MAS 5 and, thanks to the 49.9% stake that Chinese carmaker Geely has in Proton (along with the conglomerate DRB Hicom), the carmaker is also looking to introduce production of the Zeekr EV there.
The e.MAS 7 was launched in Malaysia in December last year and has quickly become the best-selling EV there. It is rebadged version of Geely’s EX5 and has so far been imported by Proton from Geely’s plant in Guiyang, China. That plant will now send complete knockdown (CKD) kits to the new Tanjong Malim facility for assembly.
Proton is investing RM82m ($19.4m) in the Tanjong Malim plant, with the first RM47m going into the first phase of production. Geely has provided technical input on the design and build of the plant. Proton said it features a mix of automation and highly trained assembly staff across several key production lines. Specialised equipment, includes the tyre manipulator chassis line, rear sub-assembly line, rear spring compress machine, and pallet sub-assembly line.
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“The launch of this state-of-the-art EV plant marks a historic milestone for Proton and Malaysia’s automotive industry,” said Dr Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton. “This facility, built with advanced technology and a focus on scalability, will be the backbone of our commitment to producing world-class electric vehicles. The Proton e.MAS 7, which has already been embraced by Malaysian consumers, is just the beginning of our journey towards a sustainable future.”
Rail logistics
To support the plant with sustainable logistics AHTV has signed up for feasibility study into a rail logistics hub with Railway Assets Corporation and Keeretapi Tanah Melayu. Proton said the proposed logistic hub will enhance logistics efficiency for containerised parts to and from the plant and the wider park. This follows the Ministry of Transport’s push to reduce the transport of containers by road by shifting to rail transport.
The Malaysian government is reported to have identified AHTV as “a project of importance” under the 13th Malaysia Plan with plans to develop it into a hub for new energy and next generation vehicles, involving large-scale foreign investment. Malaysia is aiming to become a regional hub for EVs with targets to make EVs and hybrids account for 20% of all new car sales there by 2030. Proton and its rival Perodua already have a ~60% share of the domestic market.
Managing the complex transition to EVs in south-east Asia will be under discussion at this year’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain ASEAN conference, which takes place in Singapore on October 28
