Proton vehicles

Proton (Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional) was established in 1983 as Malaysia's first national car company, a project initiated by the Malaysian government under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The brand's primary manufacturing hub remains based in Tanjung Malim and Shah Alam, Malaysia, where it produces a range of sedans and SUVs tailored for both domestic and international markets.

Over the decades, Proton's ownership has evolved from being purely state-owned to a private-public partnership. Today, Proton is joint-owned by the Malaysian conglomerate DRB-HICOM and the Chinese automotive giant Geely Holding Group. This strategic partnership, established in 2017, has seen Proton integrate advanced Chinese automotive technology while maintaining its identity as a Malaysian national icon. Geely’s involvement has revitalized the brand, introducing new models based on shared platforms utilized by other brands in its global portfolio.