Proton, the first local automotive brand, has introduced a number of quite interesting cars under the Chinese automotive company, Geely, such as the Proton X50, X70, X90 S90 and also the first electric vehicle under Proton, the Proton e.Mas7.
Although these vehicles technically use Geely vehicle designs, Proton seems to want to speed up the production and addition of local components for its models and its component suppliers have signed a number of agreements with Geely component suppliers in China to manufacture these components in Malaysia.
These suppliers said that they have signed four joint-venture agreements and two technical agreements to speed up the production of components for Proton car models in Malaysia. These components include supplies for ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) radar systems, car brake components, car lighting and ventilation (HVAC) systems.
The joint venture agreements signed are between:
Delloyd Technology Berhad and Imotion Automotive Technology (Suzhou) Co Ltd. (ADAS System)
PEPS JV (M) Sdn Bhd and Liuzhou Sanly Autoparts Co Ltd (Brake System)
JHM Consolidation Berhad and Jiangsu Dekai Auto Parts Co Ltd (Lighting System)
Trillion Speed (M) Sdn Bhd and Shanghai Yinlun Heat Exchange Systems Co Ltd (HVAC System)
SHJ Interia Sdn Bhd and Changchun Fawsn Automotive Trim Co Ltd signed a technical agreement to develop manufacturing technology for interior components, especially interior parts of car roofs. The agreement includes an agreement to enable SHJ to establish its own research and development (R&D) center in collaboration with Changchun Fawsn.
The second technical agreement is between Xenso Electronics Sdn Bhd and Freetech Intelligent Systems Co. Ltd. to develop ADAS technology specifically for side and rear vehicle tracking for blind spot monitoring systems and lane change assist systems specifically for Proton vehicles.
This joint venture between local and Chinese automotive technology companies is seen as helping Proton in developing their automotive technology locally, and thus reducing the need to import their car components from China.