Malaysia has reached a major milestone in its automotive journey as Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim officially launched the nation’s first electric vehicle (EV)-exclusive assembly plant at Proton Tanjung Malim. Located within the rapidly developing Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV), the facility has gone from groundbreaking to full-scale assembly in just seven months, underscoring Malaysia’s swift progress towards sustainable mobility.

The newly built plant will see the Proton e.MAS 7—the country’s first homegrown EV and now the nation’s best-selling electric car—roll off the line as its first completely knocked down (CKD) model. Production of Proton’s second EV, the e.MAS 5, will follow shortly. Through its partnership with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely), the plant is also set to assemble premium EV brands such as Zeekr, further cementing AHTV as a strategic hub for new energy vehicles.

Built on 5.57 acres at a cost of RM82 million, the facility’s first phase represents an investment of RM47 million and boasts a production capacity of 20,000 vehicles annually. Designed with scalability in mind, it can ramp up output to as many as 45,000 units per year.

The plant blends automation with skilled operators and is equipped with advanced production systems, including tyre manipulator chassis lines, rear sub-assembly machines, fluid filling systems, sunroof manipulators, and EV-specific electrical inspection tools. Strict quality control is integrated at every stage to ensure world-class standards.

To support operations, 30 employees have already been recruited and trained, with over 200 new jobs expected to be created in the near future. These roles will focus on EV industrialisation and technical services, strengthening the local talent pool in advanced automotive technologies.

“The launch of this state-of-the-art EV plant marks a historic milestone for PROTON and Malaysia’s automotive industry,” said Dr. Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON. “The Proton e.MAS 7 is just the beginning of our journey towards a sustainable future.”

To complement the new plant, AHTV Alliance Sdn Bhd (AASB) signed Memorandums of Understanding with Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) and Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) to study the feasibility of establishing a dedicated railway cargo network for AHTV. Plans include developing a logistics hub that leverages rail transport for container movement, reducing reliance on road haulage.

This initiative not only enhances logistics efficiency but also aligns with the Ministry of Transport’s goal of shifting more cargo from road to rail, reducing emissions and environmental impact. As part of the 13th Malaysia Plan, AHTV has been earmarked as a high-impact national project, envisioned as a hub for new energy and next-generation vehicles supported by large-scale foreign investment.

The launch of Malaysia’s first dedicated EV plant signals a defining moment for the country’s automotive industry. By anchoring EV production within AHTV and expanding sustainable logistics infrastructure, Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional leader in electric mobility and future-ready vehicle technologies.