Forget the showroom debate. Proton e.MAS has put its EV-versus-PHEV argument on TikTok, complete with rival teams, livestream questions and prizes.
The six-part “Proton e.MAS Showdown”, running from Aug 2-21, pits content creators @Mr POV and @Sam Lim against each other. One gets the fully electric Proton e.MAS 7 Premium Plus, the other the e.MAS 7 PHEV Prime.
Apparently, plenty of people are watching. Proton claimed the livestreams accumulated more than “937,000 views in their first week”. Questions went beyond which car looks better, touching on battery durability, flood safety, long-distance EV driving, PHEV maintenance costs and Proton’s EM-i hybrid system.
The e.MAS 7 PHEV Prime is the petrol-backed choice, with Proton quoting fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100km. The e.MAS 7 Premium Plus goes without an engine altogether and offers up to 450km of WLTP range, along with front massage seats and an integrated front passenger leg rest.
There is some bait for viewers, too. Proton is offering Touch ’n Go eWallet rewards ranging from RM10 vouchers to RM700 prizes for eligible participants.
The remaining livestreams are scheduled for Aug 11, 20 and 21.
For Proton e.MAS, the sales pitch has effectively moved onto the phone. Instead of asking a salesperson whether an EV or PHEV makes more sense, buyers can now throw the question at TikTok — and watch the two sides argue their case.
