Proton’s management have told its investment bank partners that the company will be launching a new Geely-based model in 2021, according the latest investor’s newsletter by RHB Research.

The research house didn’t mention any specifics on which Geely model that Proton’s management was referring to.

However back in 2018, Geely Automobile Holdings, the parent company of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which owns half of Proton, signed an agreement to license three Geely models to Proton for CNY 1,344,000,000 (about RM 810,000,000), for 10 years.

The three models are the Boyue (Proton X70), Binyue (Proton X50), and Jiaji. The latter is a 7-seater MPV that looks like a logical progression for the Proton Exora, which was first launched in 2009 and desperately needs a replacement soon.

While the model’s license period is 10 years, the related sales agreement for purchase of CBUs, CKDs and related after-sales parts of the Licensed Models will expire on 31-December 2020. 

It is unclear if the agreement have been superseded with another agreement.

The Geely Jiaji is a C-segment MPV that competes against the Toyota Innova and Nissan Serena. It’s about the length of a Nissan Serena but is a lot wider. However it lacks the Serena’s very practical sliding doors and elderly-friendly low ride height.

Where it does better however, is in delivering a offers a more car-like driving experience, thanks to its low roofline. In fact, the Jiaji is more like a jacked up wagon than a tall MPV.

In China, the Jiaji is powered by either a mild or plug-in hybrid version of the Proton X50’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine. There’s also the option of the older 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder from the Proton X70.

You can read our review of the mild hybrid variant of the Geely Jiaji here.

If it does materialize as Proton, don’t expect it to be cheap though. The Jiaji is clearly a step up from the current Proton Exora, nevermind the Perodua Alza.