Proton to launch EV in Malaysia one day, only when gov assistance is given
Jerrica · Apr 27, 2021 12:02 PM
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As our neighbours embark on their ambitious electrified journeys, our country is left lagging behind. Not far off though, as car companies like Proton are looking into the impact of launching an EV model.
When asked about Proton’s EV plans, Proton Edar Sdn Bhd CEO Roslan Abdullah said that while the company could introduce an EV in Malaysia, there are plenty of other factors that have to be taken into account.
The factors he named include price, consumer’s affordability, after-sales, customer experience, and regulations.
“We could bring the technology, but the question is what would happen to after-sales in the next five years? We are not looking at selling the product alone but throughout the customer experience of owning an EV car as well.
“How many consumers could afford an EV? In Malaysia, a part of the forces in sales is price affordability. If we have to bring down the price level, would it meet certain regulations later on, if any?
“These are key points we are looking at in determining to bring EVs. We (need to) look for the right product and the right time,” Roslan said in a virtual interview recently with Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
“While I feel that we (Proton) are ready for EVs, we won’t be launching one without the help from the government. For now, we will continue assessing the matter until the moment the government gives us the green light. Then we will able to launch an EV immediately,” he added.
Don’t forget that Proton does have experience with EVs having once worked on developing battery-electric cars. Back in 2010, the company worked with several parties and produced a Proton Exora Range Extender EV prototype. The prototype was even tested on the roads of Malaysia.
In around the same year, the company displayed the Proton EMAS concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. Fast forward to 2015, Proton also previewed a Proton Iriz EV concept car and the handful of Proton Saga EVs.
To make things easier, Proton could even draw on their Geely partnership and develop an EV based on the company’s EV-specific SEA platform.
There isn’t a time in memory that doesn’t involve staring at cars. After discovering the excitement of watching Schumacher vs Hakkinen, Formula 1 became a major part of life. The love for cars and F1 ultimately led to a job with CAR Magazine. The untimely death of the magazine meant a hiatus from cars at lifestyle women’s magazine Marie Claire before another opportunity came knocking again.
