SUBANG JAYA: Proton's Tanjong Malim manufacturing complex is expanding 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.
Proton says these programmes provide Malaysian employees with wider exposure to international vehicle production, deepening their expertise in process control, testing, traceability and quality management.
“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 Proton deputy CEO Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa.
“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.
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.
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.
To better integrate its operations, the company’s research and development (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.
Proton will also be expanding its R&D activities in a collaboration with the Malaysia Automotive Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii).
“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 economyy,”added Abdul Rashid.
