Malaysia's Proton launches its first electric vehicle
By Reuters
Item 1 of 6 Malaysian autos firm Proton launches its first
electric vehicle, e.MAS 7 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia December 16,
2024. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
[1/6]Malaysian autos firm Proton launches its first electric
vehicle, e.MAS 7 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia December 16,
2024. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Malaysian autos firm Proton
launched its first electric vehicle on Monday, the latest entry into
the local market as the country seeks to boost EV and hybrid EV use
and gain a foothold in the global supply chain.
Proton is majority owned by Malaysian conglomerate DRB HICOM
(DRBM.KL), opens new tab, with the remaining 49.9% stake held by Chinese auto maker
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (GEELY.UL).
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The e.MAS 7 basic and premium models will be priced at 109,800
Malaysian ringgit ($24,674) and 123,800 ringgit, respectively.
Malaysia wants EVs and hybrids to account for a fifth of new car
sales by 2030. It reported a 112% rise in the sale of battery EVs in
the first half of the year.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the launch said he hoped in future
the e.MAS 7 could be manufactured in Malaysia and more local firms
could be involved in the production of EVs.
