SHAH ALAM: Proton Holdings Bhd has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem and supporting the long-term development of automotive industrialisation in the country.
Chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar said Proton, as Malaysia’s homegrown automotive brand with over 40 years of experience, remains committed to supporting the Government’s industrial and mobility aspirations by strengthening the local ecosystem, developing Malaysian talent and contributing to sustainable industry growth.
“Through close and continuous collaboration with the Government and industry stakeholders, Proton will continue to play its role in ensuring Malaysia’s automotive industry remains relevant and competitive as it evolves,” he said in a statement.
In recent years, Proton has invested to upgrade its capabilities, including expanding vehicle and powertrain manufacturing capacity in Tanjong Malim, Perak, as well as local assembly of key electrified vehicle components such as the Electric Drive Unit and Dedicated Hybrid Transmission.
The group has also established Malaysia’s first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant, reinforcing its role in the nation’s new energy vehicle (NEV) and next-generation mobility agenda.
These capabilities are anchored by the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) development, where Proton plays a central role in positioning the hub for NEVs and advanced vehicle technologies, while attracting foreign investments and supporting research, development and talent growth.
Proton said the phased rollout of its EV initiatives has shown positive results and boosted consumer confidence, contributing to the Government’s push towards electrification.
The car manufacturer’s commitment to the local ecosystem is reflected in its local purchase value of over RM17bil between 2021 and 2025, which is expected to rise to about RM30bil from 2026 to 2030.
At the same time, Proton has expanded its export footprint to 18 international markets. It aims to double this presence over the next five years, supported by improvements in product quality, technology adoption and brand strength.
It added that continued policy support and collaboration with the Government have helped strengthen industry resilience and enable long-term capability building.
Looking ahead, Proton said it remains committed to supporting the growth of Malaysia’s automotive industry and enhancing the country’s position in the global automotive landscape.
Separately, Proton announced that it had sold a total of 15,706 vehicles in March, marking a 15.4% increase over February and 12.8% ahead of March 2025.
This brought total sales for the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26) to 49,140 units, equivalent to a year-to-date (YTD) growth of 40.1%.
Proton said its 1Q26 performance was its highest level since 2004.
“As a result, Proton’s market share for March is expected to be 25.1% while its YTD percentage of the market is forecast to be 27.4%, which is another high point for the company since 2017.”
