Proton: First EV Coming in 2025, Co-Developed with Geely

Proton’s first EV is set for a 2025 debut, and it will be co-developed with Geely instead of a mere rebadge.

It is no secret that the Malaysian government has given an ‘ultimatum’ to all national automakers to launch their first EV by 2025. In response to the government’s call, Proton has announced that its first-ever EV is set for a 2025 debut.

Proton DCEO Roslan Abdullah 

Speaking during Proton’s 2024 Hari Raya Short Film premiere yesterday, Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah insisted that the automaker’s first EV won’t be a mere rebadge, as it will be an all-new model co-developed with parent company Geely. Additionally, this new EV model may also spawn a Geely-badged version for other markets, while the Malaysian market will be getting a Proton-badged one.

When asked about the current development stage of this new model, Roslan further said that the new EV has completed both its design and prototype stages and is now entering the testing phase of its development. As for the segment or body style of this new EV, the deputy CEO said, “We will let you know closer to the time of its launch.”

Similar to other Geely-rebadged models like the S70 (left) and X90 (right), Proton will provide critical inputs to the new EV model to make it suitable for the Malaysian environment.

Roslan further added that through this joint venture with Geely, Proton is actively involved in the R&D phase of the model, where the national automaker provides critical input to make it suitable for the Malaysian road conditions and environment. This is the same case for previous Geely-rebadged models, where Proton underwent strenuous testing to develop suitable damper setups for the notorious Malaysian road conditions.

As for its production, Roslan said that this new EV will first be manufactured in China, as Proton needs to build new dedicated facilities before commencing with its local assembly (CKD) efforts.

“The Malaysian government wants to expedite the release of this EV model, and the government currently still offers tax exemptions on fully-imported (CBU) EVs, and at the same time we are planning for CKD local assembly,” Roslan added.

Proton's new EV will face stiff competition from burgeoning Chinese EVs entering our market.

With its production set to be done in China first, Roslan said Proton is still evaluating the pricing for this upcoming EV model, as the automaker now faces stiff competition from burgeoning Chinese EV brands that have flocked the local market in recent times. The DCEO insisted that there needs to be a balance between battery range and price, with a big focus on affordability along with functionality and practicality.

Rumours about Proton’s first EV have been looming since the automaker presented its electrification roadmap back in 2022. Initially set to be launched in 2027, this target has been pulled earlier to 2025 in response to a plea by the Malaysian government, with Proton chairman Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar cordially accepting this ‘challenge’.