Proton's Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) Move-In Plans Set For 2026

During yesterday's Chinese New Year media appreciation dinner, Proton CEO Li Chunrong provided updates on the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjong Malim, which had received a significant investment of RM32 billion from DRB-Hicom (Proton's majority stakeholder) and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

Based on the slides presented, we can conclude that Proton's manufacturing, as well as its research and design facilities, will relocate to the new site by 2026, in accordance with the target announced in April 2024.

They also stated that the supporting vendor park is currently being aggressively developed, with 20 vendors already in place and operational. One such vendor is EPMB, a vendor we previously covered with plans to supply Proton with 150,000 car seats from their new RM30 million facility.

Furthermore, a new vendor park, located on Parcel 5, will be open this year to allow more supporting vendors to establish a base closer to the Proton's AHTV.

It was also announced that six new factories totaling 400,000 square feet would be ready this year and available for lease to any interested parties. In addition, four vendors have begun construction on new facilities to expand their operations at the AHTV.

According to Proton, the AHTV will spearhead the nation's industrial development and benefit the country in sectors such as high technology supply chain, NEV and NxGV infrastructure development, NEV manufacturing, and making Malaysia a right hand drive (RHD) NEV R&D tropicalisation centre for the region, among other things.