Proton and the Malaysia Automotive Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii) have signed a five-year deal to share test facilities and train engineers for future electric vehicles.
The agreement was made at the 2025 Global Automotive and Technology Expo (GATE 2025), with MARii CEO Azrul Reza Aziz and Proton Saga vehicle programme executive Desmond Pinto representing their organisations.
Proton would make its Semi High-Speed Test Track in Shah Alam and its R&D lab in Tanjong Malim part of a new National Automotive Test Centre run by MARii.
The partnership would also put 200 Proton R&D engineers and staff through hands-on training in new energy vehicle development, supporting plans to turn the Automotive High Tech Valley into a regional electric vehicle hub.
Azrul said the alliance would strengthen Malaysia’s capabilities in mobility through shared testing facilities, structured R&D development, and expanded engineering capacity for new energy vehicles.
Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong said the test centre showed potential and could help the country become a regional automotive force.
