Proton and smart Automobile inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) during the 2023 China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), an annual trade show fostering economic collaboration between China and ASEAN nations. This agreement follows the signing of a comparable document in 2022, marking 20 months since the initial agreement that designated Proton as the official distributor of smart vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand.
The initial Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) focused on assessing the possibility of Proton selling smart’s electric vehicle (EV) range in ASEAN. The latest agreement delves deeper, aiming to investigate the viability of locally assembling smart vehicles at Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant. This indicates a step towards potential local production and integration of smart cars within the ASEAN region.
Since the signing of the MoA in 2022, Proton has made significant progress in its partnership with smart, solidifying its role as the representative for smart in the region. This progress includes the signing of a General Distributorship Agreement (GDA) in August of the same year. Moreover, Pro-Net, a subsidiary of Proton, was established to effectively manage and represent Proton’s interests within the electric vehicle (EV) sector. These developments reflect the commitment and momentum in advancing collaboration within the EV domain.
Following the initial agreement, Proton has taken proactive steps to prepare for its future EV market plans. This has included sending groups of workers to China for on-job-training, specifically tailored to the EV industry, to develop a talented workforce capable of supporting Proton’s EV initiatives. Furthermore, extensive testing of the smart #1 in Malaysia has been conducted to understand its performance under the unique climate and road conditions prevalent in the region.
Pro-Net, on the other hand, has been instrumental in establishing key partnerships and relationships within the EV ecosystem. This includes signing an MoU with Gentari, Petronas’ renewable energy arm, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Additionally, ten smart dealers have been appointed, and the smart #1 has been introduced to the public at various events, showcasing the commitment to furthering the EV agenda in Malaysia.
In a recent development, Proton launched the Hello smartApp on September 14th. This app is a significant step forward, offering innovative features that are a first in Malaysia. Notably, it integrates charging maps from 70% of charging operators, simplifying the process of identifying charger availability, making bookings, and facilitating payment for EV chargers across the country. This initiative represents a key milestone in promoting electric vehicle adoption and enhancing the overall EV charging experience in Malaysia.
The price range for smart #1 Pro, Premium, and Brabus, inclusive of Sales and Service Tax (on the road, without insurance), ranges from RM200,000 to RM250,000. Interested customers can secure their booking and personalise their smart #1 through the Hello smart App, available for download on major app stores.
