Proton’s Tanjung Malim engine plant now has become more versatile.
The Perak facility has been expanded into a powertrain operation that can assemble components for petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle applications.
The wider mix lets Proton support petrol, hybrid and EV programmes from the same manufacturing base.
The plant began operations in 2022 with Proton’s 1.5 TGDi engine. It now assembles turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines, dedicated hybrid engines, dual-clutch transmissions, dedicated hybrid transmissions and electric drive units.
Proton said it is the only carmaker in Malaysia assembling such a wide range of powertrain products locally.
The facility currently has a design capacity of up to 240,000 engines a year, with plans to raise annual capacity to 400,000 units by 2028.
Proton said it has invested more than RM121 million to expand the plant’s capability across engines, transmissions and electrified components. The plant supports current Proton models, future products and selected Geely programmes for export markets.
The Tanjung Malim plant also has a localisation role. Proton said the facility works with 16 suppliers, half of them Malaysian companies.
That reduces Proton’s reliance on imported parts and gives local vendors more work in higher-value components. It also helps build technical depth among suppliers as Malaysia tries to grow its automotive manufacturing base.
The facility employs more than 500 people, with an average age of 35. More than 50 Malaysian employees have undergone training in China, bringing back production knowledge from Geely-linked operations.
Proton has added more automation to the line as well, including collaborative robots, artificial intelligence-based inspection and advanced quality checks. These are used to improve consistency and raise productivity as output grows.
The plant is already feeding export programmes. Components assembled in Tanjung Malim are being supplied for selected Geely products sold in markets including Vietnam, Mexico and South Africa.
Proton’s deputy chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa said the plant supports localisation, talent development, technology transfer and export growth.
