Subang Jaya, 19 April 2023 – National carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd’s move into the new energy vehicle (NEV) market continues to gain momentum as senior management members attended the global unveiling of the smart #3 at Auto Shanghai 2023.
The sports utility coupe, the brand’s second new EV model after the #1, is expected to make its European debut later this year before going on sale, said Proton in a statement today.
Proton is the official importer and distributor for smart vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand, a position it holds via its subsidiary Proton New Energy Technology (Pro-Net), and will launch its first offering in Malaysia, the smart #1, in the fourth quarter of 2023.
“This will be followed by the smart #3, which will go on sale in China and Europe before heading to other markets such as Malaysia,” Proton said.
Chief Executive Officer of Proton and Chairman of Pro-Net Dr. Li Chunrong said Proton will soon enter the NEV market in Malaysia as it heeds the government’s call to transform the country into a regional hub for next generation vehicles (NxGV).
“Our first step is to launch the mild hybrid powered Proton X90 followed by the introduction of the smart #1. However, following the signing of a Heads of Agreement (HoA) document with Geely earlier this month and the subsequent visit to the Zeekr intelligent factory by the MITI Minister, we are considering accelerating our timeline for model introductions,” he said.
Meanwhile, preparations are being made for the upcoming launch of the smart #1 and selected media have undergone a limited test session at Proton’s test track with additional media and public preview sessions planned before it goes on sale.
“As it will be our first EV model, there are a lot of areas that require careful planning prior to launching the smart #1. We have recruited our dealers, are working on charging solutions, and are also considering new and innovative ways to deliver a brand experience in line with the core values of the smart brand.
Ultimately, we envision Pro-Net to be the main driver for EV models at Proton, meaning that we will also add to the range of smart models in Malaysia in the future. Our resources are fully focused on ensuring the smooth market introduction of the #1 and that customers will receive the support expected by buyers of a premium EV product,” added Dr Li Chunrong.
— Akses Malaysia
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