Dr. Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton, revealed in a media event that Proton will launch at least five new models between this year and 2023, with an average of one each year.

Geely Automobile Holdings Co., Ltd., a Hong Kong-listed technology partner, announced last year that its parent company, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd., has agreed to license three Geely models to Proton by 2020, so there is little need to speculate. The models will be derivative models of the NL-3, SX11 and VF11.

Since then, NL-3 has been introduced to Malaysia as Proton X70. The SX11 is a crossover in the size of the Honda HR-V, which is marketed in China as Binyue (宾悦), while the VF11 is a seven-seat MPV that is marketed as Jiaji(嘉际) in China.

According to the introduction schedule of these three Chinese models, we believe that the next Proton model to be launched later this year should be Geely Binyue, followed by Jiaji in 2020. Of course, their original names will be deleted when it comes to the overseas market.

The Binyue is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. There is also a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine, but in China, this engine is only equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, and this combination is unlikely to be available in the local market.

The seven-seater Jiaji is clearly an alternative to Exora. It is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Its Chinese version also has a 1.5-litre turbocharged gasoline-electric hybrid option, which can be either a light-duty hybrid or a plug-in hybrid.

Two more models under the same lineup will be launched between 2021 and 2022 in China.

Geely's flagship sedan is Geely Borui, a Class D sedan like the Camry/Accord. The car is equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and a 3.5-litre V6 engine, both with a naturally aspirated engine and a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which can be used as a light hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

This model might be nominated to replace Proton Perdana, but the D-segment is in a downturn, and it's hard to say whether Proton can make an exception for it. Even Geely's Chinese product strategy is mainly focused on SUVs.

For the C-class market, it can be said that the market is also narrowing down by competitors cramming in. The success of the Honda Civic is an exception here. Geely’s counterpart to the Civic is Binrui, equipped with a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder pairing a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is mated with a CVT-type automatic transmission.

Under this case, Geely's A / B series products less competitive, no match with Honda City, or even Toyota Vios. Currently, it's unlikely for Geely to refresh the Saga lineup, because doing so means using an equally old model to replace another ageing series.

Proton had previously mentioned that the company is interested in producing world-class cars with international competitiveness, with no desire to compete with the local make Perodua, but an international car like Honda. It's likely that Proton may exit the compact car market. However, further examinations by Dr. Li show that Proton will certainly not give up this part, which currently dominated by Perodua Axia, Bezza and Myvi.

“This sector (budget, compact car) contributes nearly 40% of the market, so we certainly will not give up this part,” Dr. Li said, adding that Seag and Iriz have a very safe, solid construction and make for a decently competitive product.

We hence believed that Saga (and Persona) will continue to fight until the next decade, but small adjustments/upgrades can be expected.

The identity of the final practical model, scheduled for 2023, is also a mystery, and we think it is likely to be another SUV.

We hope to codename FY11, a low-profile roof-mounted SUV will be designed in the style of the BMW X6. And that is what we all want to see in Proton.