• Export operations record 7,370 units in just nine months of 2026 to surpass full-year 2025 total

• International production programmes strengthen manufacturing capabilities, support export earnings and reinforce AHTV’s investment proposition

SUBANG JAYA, 16 October 2026 – National automotive company PROTON is strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional automotive production hub as its Tanjong Malim manufacturing complex expands its role in supporting international vehicle programmes. Alongside producing PROTON vehicles, the company undertakes manufacturing activities for selected Geely models destined for overseas markets, demonstrating the capabilities of its facilities, workforce and production processes.

The expansion enables PROTON to serve additional markets through its partnership with Geely, increase utilisation of its Malaysian production facilities and build greater manufacturing scale. It also provides opportunities to further strengthen quality standards, deepen technical expertise and increase Malaysia’s participation in international automotive production.

In the first nine months of 2026, PROTON’s export operations recorded a total of 7,370 units, comprising PROTON and Geely-branded vehicles. This exceeded the 6,000 units recorded for the whole of 2025, with Geely export programmes contributing to the bulk of the increase.

Strengthening capabilities, quality and brand confidence

A benefit of producing Geely models for international markets is the broadening of PROTON’s manufacturing experience. Supporting different market specifications, regulatory requirements and customer expectations requires rigorous production processes, consistent quality assurance and close coordination across engineering, manufacturing and the supply chain.

These programmes provide Malaysian employees with wider exposure to international vehicle production, deepening their expertise in process control, testing, traceability and quality management. The knowledge and practices developed can be applied across the company’s operations, supporting continuous improvements in the quality and consistency of vehicles delivered to customers.

For PROTON, this growing capability provides tangible evidence of the expertise behind its vehicles. The ability to support international production requirements helps strengthen confidence in Malaysian engineering and manufacturing and when applied to Proton vehicles, these capabilities enhance customers’ ownership experience and build a stronger reputation for quality while supporting the ambition to compete at a higher level.

“Our ambition is to build PROTON’s competitiveness through stronger products, greater manufacturing capabilities and a wider international presence. Expanding our role in becoming an international production hub allows us to fully utilise the investments already put into Tanjong Malim on a greater scale,” said Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PROTON.

“These programmes challenge us to keep raising our standards. They broaden the experience of our staff, strengthen our manufacturing discipline and create opportunities for PROTON’s suppliers to grow with us. From this, our responsibility is then to translate these capabilities into consistent quality customers can experience in every Proton vehicle.”

Integrated capabilities supporting greater manufacturing scale

PROTON’s Tanjong Malim manufacturing complex brings together stamping, body assembly, paint, trim and final assembly, supported by powertrain and new energy vehicle production facilities. The consolidated complex has a vehicle production capacity of 250,000 units annually.

These integrated capabilities provide a foundation for supporting different vehicle platforms and powertrain technologies from a single Malaysian manufacturing base. Automation and digital technologies support production efficiency and quality, while in-house stamping capabilities strengthen control over key manufacturing processes.

The company’s Advanced Powertrain Hub further extends this capability beyond vehicle assembly. Producing both engine and drive train components the facility provides solutions for all models assembled in Tanjong Malim by providing several variants of engines (TGDI, PFI. PHEV and HEV) as well as electrified solutions such as DHT and EDU and the DCT transmission. Additionally, the CVT transmission used by Proton models is produced by Punch in a facility located at the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV).

Its capabilities include the assembly of naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, dedicated hybrid transmissions and electric drive units. This broadening range of activities supports PROTON’s evolving product portfolio while building local experience in technologies central to the automotive industry’s transition.

Providing a foundation for AHTV’s growth

PROTON’s expanding international production role also strengthens its contribution as an anchor manufacturer within the Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV). Its established facilities, skilled workforce and growing export activities provide a practical foundation for attracting further automotive investment to Tanjong Malim.

By bringing international production programmes into Malaysia, PROTON helps demonstrate the business opportunities AHTV can offer prospective investors. Sustained production demand can strengthen the case for suppliers, technology partners and supporting businesses to establish operations within the development, supporting AHTV’s ambition to become a regional centre for automotive manufacturing and technology.

To better integrate its operations, the company’s R&D and Engineering facilities have been relocated to AHTV, focussing development and production efforts in Malaysia in one location. A massive new logistics hub has also been completed and once operational, will further improve manufacturing processes at the plant. Looking to the future, PROTON will also be expanding its R&D activities in a collaboration with the Malaysia Automotive Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii), to benefitting the brand as well as the national automotive ecosystem.

Supporting Malaysia’s exports and economic growth

Producing vehicles for international markets expands Malaysia’s automotive exports and supports the country’s trade balance through additional export earnings. It also enables PROTON to generate greater economic value from its existing manufacturing investments, with higher production volumes improving plant utilisation and creating opportunities for economies of scale. This strengthens the commercial competitiveness of Malaysian production and positions the country to attract further international manufacturing programmes.

The benefits extend to employment and business activity across component supply, logistics, port operations and supporting services. Sustained overseas demand provides an additional avenue for growth alongside the domestic market, expanding the economic contribution of PROTON’s manufacturing operations.

These activities also support the development of Malaysian talent in engineering, electrification, automation, production and quality assurance. The consolidation of manufacturing in Tanjong Malim, including the transition of approximately 1,400 manufacturing employees from Shah Alam, brings production activities and expertise together to support this next phase of development.

“For Malaysia, the value of these programmes extends beyond the number of vehicles exported. They bring overseas demand into our manufacturing operations, generate export earnings and create business opportunities across the wider economy. As we grow, we want Tanjong Malim to make an increasingly significant contribution to PROTON’s competitiveness and Malaysia’s automotive industry,” added Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa.

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