Last Saturday (27 April), Proton inaugurated its research and development (R&D) centre in China, aiming to strengthen collaboration with its partner, Zhejiang Geely Holding Ltd (Geely), and complement existing facilities in Malaysia.
Situated within the Geely Automobile Research Institute at Hangzhou Bay, the opening of the Proton R&D Centre (China) coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, according to Bernama.
“The new centre is envisaged as a window for joint development between Proton and Geely where new concepts across all areas are brought to fruition, from top-hat and platform integration for internal combustion engine and electric vehicle (EV) models to intelligent driving and project management,” the national carmaker said in a statement.
Proton emphasised that the centre will play a pivotal role in upgrading its locally developed models, leveraging joint resources with Geely and Proton R&D engineers in Malaysia. Additionally, Proton aims to enhance its competitiveness by capitalising on Geely’s global presence.
Furthermore, the centre will act as a crucial liaison platform, engaging capable vendors for the continuous advancement of the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley in Tanjong Malim, Perak. It will focus on key business life cycle areas such as quality, procurement, and manufacturing.
Comprising three departments—the Central Research Institute, Data Intelligence Development Centre, and R&D Digitisation Centre—the new facility is poised to drive innovation and collaboration within Proton’s global network.
