Proton has partnered with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MECD) and two government agencies to bring Malaysian suppliers from government-linked companies (GLCs) and Proton to the “Market Access, Technology Transfer & Vendor Enhancement Program” in China. This initiative, designed to promote innovation, commercialization, and Malaysia’s transition toward sustainable mobility, underscores the importance of collaboration between local and international players in the electric vehicle (EV) sector.
The program, organized by MECD and led by the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd (MIDF), took place in early July. It focused on accelerating the development of next-generation and battery electric vehicles through strategic partnerships and technological exchanges.
Participants included representatives from MBSB Bank, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, PLUS Expressways Bhd, UEM Edgenta Bhd, Telekom Malaysia, and 22 Malaysian vendors. They toured several EV component facilities in China, visiting plants in cities such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. Among the stops were Geely subsidiaries like EV manufacturer Zeekr and EV battery and charger producer VREMT at Hangzhou Bay. As China is a global leader in EV production, the country’s advanced ecosystem offered participants valuable insights into the EV industry’s manufacturing processes, facilities, and services.
To facilitate collaboration, business matchmaking sessions were held at the Geely Research Centre (GRI) in Hangzhou Bay, allowing Proton suppliers to engage directly with Geely’s EV suppliers. The sessions were highly successful, with 95% of participants expressing satisfaction, citing potential opportunities for partnerships and supply chain collaboration.
Of the local suppliers, 87% indicated an interest in pursuing partnerships with Chinese suppliers. The top five categories of potential collaboration included distributorship, technology transfer, joint ventures, skill development, and joint investment initiatives.
The government remains committed to advancing the EV and green technology sectors. According to MECD, this increased collaboration is crucial for building the infrastructure and sustainable ecosystem necessary for EV growth. Strengthening the local supply chain will reduce Malaysia’s reliance on imports, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
In a separate visit to China a month earlier, Proton previewed upcoming models and design concepts to better understand the development work of their design teams in addressing both local and global market needs. The event was attended by members of the Proton Vendors Association (PVA) and Proton Edar Dealers Association (PEDA). Led by Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong and Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah, the visit aimed to build anticipation and inspire confidence among Proton’s vendors and dealers.Bottom of Form.
