Proton has partnered with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MECD) and two government agencies to facilitate the “Market Access, Technology Transfer & Vendor Enhancement Program” in China. This initiative, conducted in early July, aimed to foster innovation, enhance commercialisation, and support Malaysia’s transition towards sustainable mobility. Organized by MECD and led by the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd (MIDF), the program focused on accelerating the development of next-generation and electric vehicles (EVs) through strategic partnerships and technology exchanges.
Participants, including suppliers from MBSB Bank, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, PLUS Expressways Bhd, UEM Edgenta Bhd, and Telekom Malaysia, along with 22 Malaysian vendors, visited various EV component plants in China. Stops included Geely subsidiaries Zeekr and VREMT in Hangzhou Bay, offering key insights into EV manufacturing, facilities, and services.
A survey conducted during the program revealed that 87% of local suppliers expressed interest in collaborating with Chinese counterparts. Top partnership categories identified included distributorship, technology transfer, joint ventures, skill development, and joint business investments. Business matchmaking sessions were also held at the Geely Research Centre (GRI) to facilitate further cooperation.
According to Azrul Reza Aziz, CEO of MARii, this initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening Malaysia’s local EV supply chain and supports the country’s National Automotive Policy (NAP2020), aiming to position Malaysia as a leader in the regional EV industry. The government remains committed to advancing EV and green technology, emphasizing collaboration to build essential infrastructure and create jobs.
In a separate trip to China a month earlier, Proton previewed upcoming models and design concepts in a closed-door event attended by representatives from the Proton Vendors Association (PVA) and Proton Edar Dealers Association (PEDA). This visit, led by Dr. Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton, and Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of Proton, aimed to provide vendors and dealers insights into global automotive market dynamics.
Thomas Lim, President of PVA, expressed confidence in Proton’s leadership in delivering advanced vehicles, highlighting safety features and luxurious interiors that surpass market expectations. Li Chunrong reiterated Proton’s commitment to product innovation and collaboration to ensure long-term resilience in Malaysia’s automotive sector, aligning with the company’s goals for global competitiveness.
