Proton to launch Honda HR-V rival and Preve replacement in 2019

By CARSIFU | 22 March 2018


PETALING JAYA: Proton plans to launch a compact SUV (sport utility vehicle) next year to rival the Honda HR-V and a sedan to replace the 1.6-litre turbocharged Proton Preve, according to veteran automotive journalist Yamin Vong.

At the 2018 Beijing Auto Show in April, Geely is expected to unveil a B-segment crossover that could rival the HR-V and be the base for the second Proton SUV.

Vong also said Proton will launch its first EV (elecric vehicle) in 2020, thanks to Proton stakeholder Zhejiang Geely which has decided the national automaker will get the latest relevant vehicle models. Proton's first EV is likely to be the Geely Emgrand mid-sized sedan that can travel 400km on a single charge, said Vong in a March 20 Facebook posting.

To recap, in June 2017, the Geely Group struck a deal with DRB-Hicom Bhd under which the former will acquire a 49.9 per cent stake in national automaker Proton Holdings Bhd for RM460.3mil.

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The Emgrand EV (also below).

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Geely’s popular Boyue sports utility vehicle (SUV) will be used as Proton’s first SUV model, and plans are under way for a fourth-quarter launch.

It looks like Proton's future roll-outs will not be at loggerheads with Perodua's as it focuses on streamlining its line-up.

Meanwhile, Vong's post also stated that Proton has been on a hiring spree over the past few months, and it has recruited high-performance sales and marketing people from Honda Malaysia, Tan Chong Motor Holdings, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors and UMW Toyota Motor.

The new hires are said to include Alex Tan, formerly the central region sales manager for Tan Chong Motor and Lau Yit Mun, formerly the managing director of Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia.

Geely Boyue.
Geely Boyue.


Vong also said even a retired deputy chairman of UMW Toyota Motor has been co-opted in an advisory capacity to Proton.

Regarding the Proton dealer network, Vong says the current 220 dealer outlets is expected to be halved in the coming years via natural attrition, as Proton focuses on 3S and 4S outlets.

The 4S outlets offer sales, service and spare parts, as well as body and paint facilities.

Vong also cited an automotive industry veteran who will invest in two Proton dealerships, who said dealers will get "very generous incentives and three types of commission schemes."

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The Geely Emgrand GS is an A-segment vehicle that is an indicator of how the Chinese car maker packages an SUV.

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