Malaysia marked a major milestone in its automotive history with the launch of the nation’s first assembly plant dedicated exclusively to electric vehicle (EV) production. Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the opening at Proton’s Tanjung Malim facility, located within the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV). Full-scale production begins this month, just seven months after the groundbreaking ceremony held on 7 February.
The Proton e.MAS 7, introduced in December last year and now regarded as Malaysia’s best-selling EV, will be the first model to be completely knocked down (CKD) and assembled at the plant. It will soon be followed by Proton’s second EV, the e.MAS 5. As part of Proton’s collaboration with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, the facility will also assemble other premium marques under Geely’s portfolio, including Zeekr.
The event was attended by several key figures, including YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani bin Mohamad, Menteri Besar of Perak, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry YB Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Transport Minister YB Loke Siew Fook, and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation YB Chang Lih Kang. Also present were Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM and Chairman of Proton, Li Shufu, Chairman of Geely Holding Group, and Proton Chief Executive Officer, Dr Li Chunrong.
The new plant sits on a 5.57-acre site with an overall investment of RM82 million. The first phase, worth RM47 million, has the capacity to produce 20,000 vehicles annually. With scalability built into its design, production can be expanded to accommodate up to 45,000 units per year.
Developed in close partnership with Geely’s technical experts, the assembly line integrates a blend of automation and highly skilled human operators. Specialised equipment such as the tyre manipulator chassis line, rear sub-assembly line, spring compression machines, and pallet sub-assembly systems form part of the production process. Final assembly is handled by conveyor systems working in tandem with the chassis line.
Additional equipment includes glass glazing machines, chassis number engraving systems, and an EV-specific electrical device checking unit to ensure quality standards are met. Features such as a sunroof manipulator and dedicated component preparation zones further enhance efficiency.
In preparation for operations, 30 employees have already been hired in critical roles, with comprehensive training provided. Over time, the plant will create more than 200 new jobs for the local community, with a focus on EV industrialisation and advanced technical expertise.
The launch of the new plant at Tanjung Malim positions Proton at the centre of Malaysia’s transition to electrification, reinforcing AHTV’s role as a national hub for advanced automotive technology and innovation.
