On 7 February 2025, Proton marked a historic milestone with the groundbreaking of Malaysia’s first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant. Situated in the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjung Malim, Perak, the RM82 million investment signals the country’s commitment to advancing its green mobility agenda. This new facility is designed specifically for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), solidifying Proton’s role in spearheading Malaysia’s EV transformation.
The plant’s development will unfold in two phases. Phase 1, scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, will see the commencement of local assembly for the Proton e.MAS 7—previously imported entirely from China as a completely built-up (CBU) model. This phase targets a production capacity of 20,000 units annually. Depending on market demand, Phase 2 could boost that output to 45,000 units per year, with plans to serve both domestic and international markets.
Equipped with Industry 4.0 technologies, the facility will feature advanced robotics, cloud-based facility management, industrial IoT integration, and high levels of automation. These innovations aim to enhance operational efficiency, product consistency, and environmental performance—hallmarks of next-generation manufacturing.
Beyond its technological promise, the plant is expected to create over 200 skilled positions in EV-related roles. The Perak state government anticipates broader economic ripple effects, estimating as many as 3,000 direct and indirect jobs will be generated through supply chains, logistics, and vendor participation. This development strengthens AHTV’s vision of becoming a leading automotive innovation hub in Southeast Asia.
The Tanjung Malim complex already houses a RM1.8 billion internal combustion engine (ICE) plant established in 2003. With the upcoming integration of ICE and EV operations under the APTV model by the end of 2025, Proton is consolidating its position at the forefront of the region’s automotive evolution. Supporting infrastructure upgrades, including enhanced road connectivity to key industrial zones, further underline the state’s long-term commitment.
Proton’s ambitions are not confined to Malaysia’s borders. The new plant is positioned to support exports to countries such as Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, and potentially Brunei. Localized production of the e.MAS 7 will reduce costs and contribute to the growth of a regional EV manufacturing ecosystem, potentially drawing other global and regional OEMs to invest in AHTV.
This initiative is closely aligned with national strategic frameworks, including the National Automotive Policy (NAP 2020), the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint, the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP), and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). It also supports the government’s push to install 10,000 EV charging stations nationwide by 2025—further enabling adoption and infrastructure readiness.
Looking ahead, Proton’s roadmap includes operational readiness of the EV line by late 2025, a shift to local assembly of the e.MAS 7, and the eventual rollout of additional models based on its Global Modular Architecture (GMA), such as the e.MAS 5 and e.MAS 3. With strong policy backing, a skilled workforce, and export potential, Tanjung Malim is poised to become a cornerstone of Southeast Asia’s electric mobility future.
