CKD Proton X90 to have at least 45% local content - 500 local parts, 2 years to localize

The Proton X90 will be Proton's third rebadged model from Geely. Back in 2018, Proton launched the Proton X70, based on the Geely Boyue. 2 years later in 2020, Proton launched the X50, itself based on the smaller Geely Binyue.

And the Proton X90, like its smaller siblings, is also based on a Geely model, in this case the Geely Haoyue.

Mirroring a similar arrangement with the Proton X50, the Proton X90 skips the imported (CBU) phase, as the X90 will launch as a locally-assembled (CKD) model.

Also Read: Proton X90 confirmed - 1.5T MHEV, 6/7 seats, full ADAS, 190 PS, 300 Nm, no AA/CP

Speaking of local assembly (CKD) works, Proton said that its newest SUV has 45 percent local content, spread across more than 500 parts. All in all, Proton spent 3 years developing the left-hand drive Geely Haoyue into the right-hand drive Proton X90, 2 years of which involved localizing parts for the SUV.

45 percent local content is on par with the CKD Proton X70 at launch, which has ramped up to 70 percent in 2022. The Proton X50, on the other hand, started off with 40 percent local content at launch.

Also Read: It's 2023 but the Proton X90 still has no Android Auto / Apple CarPlay - this is ACO Tech's reply

According to Hazrin Fazail Haroon, Head of Group Engineering at Proton, “So we have about 45 percent that we localized from the day we started production. For 45 percent, we’re looking at around 500 local parts. 500 parts that we developed within a 2-year period to ensure that we and the suppliers are ready, so that we can mass produce the car on time.”

As a brief recap, Proton will be offering 4 variants of the brand-new Proton X90 – Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship. All variants are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine hooked up to a 48-Volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system, allowing for a combined system output of 190 PS and 300 Nm.

Like its sibling models, the X50 and X70, the larger Proton X90 also gets a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic as the transmission of choice.

No word on when Proton will launch the X90 just yet, but the company has stated that preview sessions will be held nationwide starting 8-April.