Proton to start assembly in Pakistan by Q3 2021 – X70, Saga first models

Proton has been ramping up its presence in Pakistan with the launching of the Saga a little more than a week ago. Even though it has only two models in its line-up with the Proton X70 completing the pair, Proton’s partner in the South Asian nation, Al-Haj Automotive aims to commence local assembly at its new plant by the third quarter of 2021.

The plant, which is built on a greenfield site in Karachi, will have a planned capacity of 25,000 units a year. About USD 30 million have been invested into the plant initially and it was supposed to begin operations by the end of 2020. The pandemic probably caused the plan to be postponed.

Proton and Al-Haj Automotive have inked an agreement in 2018 with initial sales sold as CBU units, imported from Malaysia before local production takes over.

Also read: Proton to return to Pakistan in December 2020, X70 first model to launch

Two years later in 2020, the Proton X70 was introduced in Pakistan and it was deemed a success. So much so, that some unscrupulous dealers started asking customers for illegal “premiums” to cut the queue.

Also read: Illegal “premium” to cut queue for Proton X70 in Pakistan, sold out in 4 days

Nevertheless, the X70 and Saga would very much likely be assembled in the cricket-crazy nation. Side note, Proton also announced veteran Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi as their spokesperson in the country.

The Pakistani-spec Saga and X70 are slightly different from the local units. The X70 in Pakistan is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine (177 PS/255 Nm) as opposed to the 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder unit (184 PS/300 Nm) sold here.

The 1.5-litre unit is similar to the one found in the Proton X50 Flagship.

Also read: Proton X70 previewed in Pakistan, powered by 1.5L from X50

Meanwhile, the Proton Saga in Pakistan is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1,299-cc 4-cylinder petrol engine as opposed to the 1,332-cc unit in the local Saga. Both engines produce the same power output (95 PS/120 Nm).

Also read: Export-spec Proton Saga launched in Pakistan, R3 variant gets a manual!

The reason for the smaller engine displacement is to allow the Saga to be priced competitively and to enjoy tax breaks in the country.