Proton has launched its first EV plant in Tanjung Malim, with the local assembly of the e.MAS 7 EV already started.
Less than a year since its groundbreaking ceremony, national automaker Proton has finally launched its first-ever EV production facility in Tanjung Malim. The new EV plant launch was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with the local assembly (CKD) operation for the Proton e.MAS 7 EV already underway at this facility.
With its construction completed ahead of schedule, the new RM82 million facility will boast an initial annual production capacity of 20,000 units, which can be ramped up to 45,000 units annually, thanks to its scalable design and layout.
Compared to Proton’s ICE production facility, the new EV plant has dedicated areas for battery assembly, high-voltage safety, and electrical testing, with layouts designed specifically to accommodate the flat EV platform. The scalability and modularity of the whole facility also allow for a multi-model production in a single line, while its storage systems are already optimised to support both local and export markets, Proton says.
Proton also says that scaling up works for this facility won’t require any significant redesign, as infrastructures like the utility system, material handling paths, and digital traceability tools like manufacturing execution system (MES) and warehouse management system (WMS) are all already in place.
For the EV production itself, parent company Geely has stepped in by providing technical guidance on production systems, as well as helping with equipment selection and deploying experts to assist with installation and trial runs. The Chinese automaker also facilitated overseas training for Proton staff and ensured that the new EV plant is in line with Geely’s global manufacturing standards.
With the opening of this new EV plant, Proton is expected to generate up to 200 new jobs. More importantly, given that this facility will play an integral part in the whole Automotive High-Tech Valley (ATHV) initiative, more jobs are expected to be created in the future once the whole ecosystem is fully operational.
Besides the e.MAS 7, this new EV plant will also be in charge of assembling the upcoming Proton e.MAS 5, which is bound for debut anytime later this year. Beyond these two Proton EVs, there’s no news on whether this facility will also be in charge of assembling other Geely products or models from other Geely-owned brands.
