Proton plans to introduce three models between now and 2024

The national automaker has also confirmed that it will enter the electric vehicle (EV) race, hinting that the EV will be one of three new models. Proton revealed this during an exclusive media tour of its new engine assembly line at its manufacturing facility here.

Proton, under the current management of Geely Group, has so far launched two brand new vehicles, the X70 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and the smaller X50 SUV. The company has yet to reveal an all-new sedan with help from its Chinese parent company, although it is rumored that the so-called Proton S50 could be among the three new models planned.

Meanwhile, the engine assembly line is part of the RM1.8 billion allocated by Proton to upgrade its facilities. Geely's award-winning three-cylinder 1.5 TGDI (Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection) engine assembly line, the first outside of China. Currently, 72 parts supplied by 19 Malaysian suppliers and 4 Asian suppliers are used to assemble the new engine. It and its variants have been used in more than 750,000 vehicles sold worldwide. Full staff of 202 Malaysian workers, the assembly line covers an area of ​​18,000 square meters and has a current maximum capacity of 180,000 engines when operating in three shifts.

The new engine assembly line shows that the company is delivering on its promises to its stakeholders, said Roslan Abdullah, Proton's deputy general manager. Roslan said that they were to make a financial investment in the auto industry located in Malaysia. And they would achieve the goal through introducing new high-tech components while they stepped into a partnership agreement with Geely in 2017. He added that the new assembly line will do it, which will provide Proton a method to attract and develop young talent that will push the automotive industry and Proton into a more brilliant future. The GDI 1.5 T assembly line is built around the IR 4.0 philosophy with a high degree of automation to increase productivity. It has 88 stations including 17 automatic, 15 semi-automatic and 56 manual.

It runs on a clean, durable conveyor system that is said to be less expensive to operate than a chain-based system. It is housed in a clean, air-conditioned environment with an anti-static station that allows electrostatic discharge to protect the high-tech electronic components used. All workers on the assembly line have undergone intensive training with Geely as well as the suppliers of used machinery, including: ABB, COMAU, FEV China, FEV India, WiBeda and Hangxin.

Internet of Things (IOT) technology has been deployed as in-depth data collection and analysis tools to ensure required quality standards are met and maintained. In addition, 207 Error Proofing (EMP) controllers and 34 intelligent high-resolution cameras have been installed on the line to prevent process and assembly errors and reduce downtime with correct error detection. 100% real time.

"When it comes to the new engine assembly line, we put much emphasis on quality. We are left with no chance because we need to show the Malaysians that Proton is capable of producing high quality, dependable products.

Roslan adds: “We are also working closely with our partners at Geely to solve problems and share best practices in our efforts to produce world-class engines alongside our own. At the same time, many quality control measures implemented on the assembly line”. Given such words, we could feel that Proton has made their efforts to step towards another success with their plan-to-launch new car models.

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