Proton cars being built and assembled at its Tanjung Malim plant.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s local automotive industry has the potential to become a regional leader, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister noted that plans were underway to further develop national car manufacturer Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant into a regional hub with the help of foreign investment from Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd (Geely).
“I have discussed with the Menteri Besar of Perak to ensure that there is an ease of doing business and that all processes are facilitated so that everything that is necessary will be done.
“This is to ensure that the collaborative efforts of Geely and Proton succeed in turning the Tanjung Malim plant into the focal automative centre in the region, whether it’d be for training or research and development.
“The end goal is to eventually develop the entire enterprise and plant into an integrated automotive center and city,” he said in his speech during Proton’s 40th Anniversary celebration and launch of the new Proton X90 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Earlier in the event, Geely chairman Eric Li Shufu said the group would continue to support Proton’s growth and transition into energy vehicle technology.
“We will spare no effort to support Proton with new technologies, products and business models to enable them to become a leader in new energy vehicles in the Asean market while also building the new energy vehicle ecology in Malaysia.
“The plan now is to help Proton launch at least one new energy vehicle model every year while also cultivating 5,000 new local talents in the field of new energy vehicles in the company within the next five years,” he said.
