PROTON LAUNCHES XCHANGE PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY
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The MOT announced a first-year road tax exemption for new cars bought under the programme
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RM2,000 overtrade support offered for any new PROTON model including market leading e.MAS 7
Subang Jaya, 15 May 2025 – In a strong show of support for the government’s initiative to enhance road safety and promote sustainable mobility, PROTON today launched the PROTON Xchange Programme to encourage owners of old vehicles deemed unroadworthy to exchange them for a new Proton model. The programme will be run together with Car Medic Sdn Bhd, an authorized automotive treatment facility (AATF), and is open to owners of all cars regardless of brand.
Held at the PROTON Centre of Excellence at Subang Jaya, the event was attended by Yang Berhormat Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport, who officially launched the programme. Representing PROTON were Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Chairman of PROTON and Dr. Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON.
Also in attendance were representatives from Car Medic Sdn Bhd together with attendees from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and related government agencies Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ), Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Malaysian Automotive Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii).
PROTON targets greener mobility by budgeting RM4.8 million for programme
To ensure the PROTON Xchange Programme meets its objectives of enhancing road safety while promoting sustainable mobility, PROTON and its partner Car Medic have created a holistic solution that incentivises participants while ensuring safe disposal of older vehicles. PROTON will offer RM2,000 of overtrade support towards the registration of a new Proton vehicle, including the Proton e.MAS 7, the best-selling EV model in Malaysia. To ensure viability, a budget of RM4.8 million has been allocated for the pilot programme that will run until the end of December 2025.
To qualify for the incentive, vehicles must be 15 years or older and be in a condition that would be deemed to be uneconomical to repair for continued safe usage. Any sedan cars, multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), vans, 4x4s, lorries, and buses meeting the abovementioned requirements are eligible for the programme subject to meeting set terms and conditions such as proof of ownership.
To qualify for the overtrade incentive, the new Proton or Proton e.MAS vehicle must be registered before the end of the year. Importantly, vehicle owners will need to provide a Vehicle Ownership Certificate (VOC) for their new vehicle together with a JPJK1KD form to prove their old vehicle has been officially deregistered by the JPJ, and a Certificate of Destruction (COD) obtained from Car Medic. To further enhance the benefits of the PROTON Xchange Programme, the new vehicle purchased can be registered under the owner's next of kin, not exclusively the owner themselves.
Car Medic, a Department of Environment (DOE)-certified and JPJ-appointed AATF since 2020, offers convenient e-Dereg services (door-to-door or at their facility) and handles restriction checks, deregistration, towing, safe disposal, and COD issuance for this program. The e-Dereg service allows MyKad holders in selected areas to complete JPJ deregistration digitally at their vehicle's location, while also assisting others with e-Dereg for groups of more than five vehicles within two days.
As the only Malaysian automotive brand to offer, ICE, mild-hybrid and EV options in its range, PROTON is well positioned to be the pioneer of an exchange programme that makes upgrading to a newer, greener, and safer vehicle more accessible to all Malaysians. With the impending arrival of new models in the future together with its second EV model, the company is poised to play a leading role in ensuring the automotive industry plays its part towards the country’s aim of being a carbon neutral nation by 2050.
Speaking during the event, YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the Minister of Transport Malaysia said, “The Ministry of Transport supports the XChange Programme initiative and encourages more OEMs to follow PROTON’s example and look beyond chasing sales and profits. As such, the Ministry of Transport will grant a first-year tax exemption for all cars acquired through this initiative. Malaysia’s first automotive company has once again become an agent of change for the automotive industry and is leading by example. I would like to say thank you and congratulate PROTON for taking the lead and initiating this Xchange Programme.”
Echoing the minister’s sentiments, Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON added, “The PROTON Xchange Programme represents a significant step towards a safer and greener automotive future for Malaysia, demonstrating PROTON’s commitment to both its customers and the nation. We also hope that this initiative can help to incentivise the replacement of older vehicles to new cars, which are equipped with advanced safety features that can minimise safety hazards on the road.”