Saga EV? Iriz EV? Proton to launch up to 7 new electrified vehicles, to establish R&D centre in China too
Sanjay · Feb 20, 2024 07:54 PM
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Proton is charging full-speed ahead in Malaysia's electrified vehicle arena, foremost by establishing a research & development (R&D) arena in Hangzhou, China, as well as introducing new home-grown and Geely-derived electric vehicles (EVs).
Speaking at a media gathering in Kuala Lumpur earlier this evening, Proton's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Li Chunrong said about the matter: "We will setup R&D centre in Hangzhou. Proton R&D centre. This is for home-grown models."
"Later, also we will do new energy models (NEV, Proton's term for electrified vehicles) based on the ICE model (internal combustion engines) platform. This is number one. Number two, we have four models to introduced, developed by Geely, that we will update," Dr. Li continued.
At this current juncture it's not entirely clear what these "homegrown NEVs" encapsulate, but saying that they'll be based on ICE models is a clue that we could see more hybrid Proton models in the future at the very least.
In today's context, homegrown models refer to the Persona, Iriz, Saga, and recently-discontinued Exora, models that were mostly developed in house and not with extensive Geely participation. Given that only 3 models were outlined, perhaps there won't be a successor to the Exora? But time will tell.
Meanwhile for the four Geely-codeveloped models, it's still unclear what these are. As for why Hangzhou, it's where Geely is headquartered, and it also houses the brand's R&D centres there too.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.