Malaysian automaker Proton plans to launch its first passenger vehicle based on a Geely model in early 2019 at the latest, according to local reports citing international trade and industry minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group acquired a 49.9% stake in Malaysia’s struggling first national car company in June of this year for MYR460.3m (US$108m), with a view to making available its product technology and also to expanding the presence of the Geely brand across south-east Asia.
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The new car, expected to be based on the Geely Boyue SUV, will be produced at Proton’s existing facility in Tanjung Malim in Perak state. It would be the first SUV to be produced by a national carmaker in Malaysia.
The minister also said Geely plans to build a new plant in Tanjung Malim from next year once detailed construction plans and permits have been drawn up. The new factory is scheduled to be completed by 2022.
He is also quoted as saying Geely will assist the Proton brand in entering the Chinese market and winning over a 1% market share – equivalent to around 280,000 units per year at last year’s levels.
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