Proton 2030 Roadmap: 330K Sales, 30% NEVs in Sight

Proton kicked off its Proton Tech Showcase 2025 earlier today with a string of confident announcements that signal a bold new chapter for the national carmaker.

CEO Dr Li Chunrong pointed out that Proton remains a strong force in Malaysia’s automotive market, with four models leading their respective segments. The X50 continues to dominate the B-segment SUV category, the X90 sits at the top of the D-segment SUV space, the S70 is holding firm in the competitive C-segment sedan market, while the ever-reliable Saga remains the second-best seller among A-segment sedans.

Electrification is clearly Proton’s next big move. Its first fully electric model, the e.MAS 7, has already found more than 8,239 homes across Malaysia. Meanwhile, excitement is building for the smaller e.MAS 5, which has already collected 10,000 bookings even before its official debut.

Despite the buzz around EVs, Proton’s foundation is still strong. The Saga, now refreshed and riding on the AMA platform, continues to be the brand’s volume driver, securing over 30,000 bookings recently. The mix of new energy vehicles and proven hits will be key as Proton balances innovation with mass appeal.

Dr Li shared Proton’s roadmap for growth, which includes doubling sales within the next five years. The target for 2030 is 330,000 units annually, compared to around 156,000 units expected this year. A third of that future volume will come from new energy vehicles, while another third will be exported to more than 30 countries — nearly double Proton’s current export footprint.

At the core of Proton’s future product strategy are three platforms. The GMA platform supports the e.MAS 7 and its upcoming plug-in hybrid sibling. The familiar X and S series underpin the X70, X50 and S70. 

But the platform Proton is most excited about is the new AMA architecture - designed to power high-volume, affordable models starting with the Saga. Over the next few years, Proton will roll out three more models on this platform to replace the Iriz, Persona and Exora. 

These upcoming cars will feature the latest iGT engines paired with either a CVT or 4-speed automatic transmission, while hybrid variants will adopt a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) for smoother and more efficient performance.

To make all this happen, Proton is scaling up operations at its Tanjung Malim base. The Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV) project will house Malaysia’s first dedicated new energy vehicle plant, complete with a 6,900-tonne stamping line. 

The broader ecosystem aims to eventually manufacture 500,000 vehicles a year, produce one million parts with industry partners and create tens of thousands of jobs - 25,000 direct and about 300,000 indirect nationwide.

Dr Li described Proton’s trajectory as similar to a student moving through different levels of education. Right now, he says, the company is stepping into its “university phase”, learning at a higher level and preparing to compete internationally. Proton aims to hit 180,000 sales as early as 2026, and stretch to 500,000 a year by 2035.

Above all, Proton wants the country to grow with it. Over the next decade, it plans to develop 290 young talents, train 1,000 engineers in China and boost its export performance. The company expects to support RM3.2 billion worth of ecosystem purchases involving 209 local and international vendors - with 172 of them based in Malaysia.

Proton’s ambitions are big, but so is its drive. With strong customer demand, solid domestic roots and a clear playbook for electrification, the national carmaker is determined to transform itself into a regional and eventually global contender.