PROTON has just shared the first look of its all new vehicle for 2023 which will be another Geely designed and engineered product.
After more than a year of being teased, this will be a 7 seat large SUV (or a 5 seat large SUV with large cargo space) that is also known as the Geely Haoyue or in some markets called the Monjaro, this large SUV will carry a hybrid engine which will be the start of PROTON’s move towards electrification.
New PROTON model makes public debut in line-off ceremony
Earlier in the year, PROTON announced it would be expanding its model range in 2023 and the first addition was given its public debut to the attending media at a line-off ceremony that followed the unveiling of the company’s new stamping line.
The new model is the third SUV in the Proton range and codenamed the X90 (following the X70 and X50 naming lineup), which will help reinforce the brand’s standing as the most popular SUV brand in Malaysia.
New stamping line boosts localisation and reduces exposure to import disruptions
Construction works for PROTON’s new stamping line began in early April 2021 with machinery installation beginning in July 2022 and being fully completed by December.
There are five stamping machines with a single machine capable of exerting 2,500-tonnes of force and two machines each with a pressing force of 1,200-tonnes and 1,000-tonnes respectively, the stamping line uses six robots to transfer parts between workstations and utilises IR 4.0 technology using real-time data and machine learning to improve the quality of parts produced.
The new line can produce up to 50 unique components, boosting local content for PROTON’s SUV models as items such as body panels can now be produced at Tanjung Malim. This carries an additional benefit of reducing the company’s reliance on imported parts, insulating it against any potential disruptions to global trade, and improving local parts supply.
“The launch of our new stamping line in Tanjung Malim is a major addition to PROTON’s car production capabilities. As a national automotive brand, the increased use of locally sourced parts in our production activities is vital to the national automotive ecosystem and helps reduce the outflow of funds from the country.
“Aside from potentially reducing our use of imported parts by115,000 units per year, the stamping line also allows for greater flexibility when deciding our production mix every month and improves the speed by which we can locally produce new models,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, PROTON.
