PROTON has just issued a press release stating their new business unit, PRO-NET which is ‘Proton New Energy Technology’ will be involved in the sales of electric vehicles and also EV charging points.
This comes just weeks after it announced the distributor agreement with ‘smart’ cars for the sales of the all new smart#1 electric compact SUV which is scheduled to arrive next year.
So, with this new business unit, it seems that PROTON is looking at developing their electric vehicle range beyond just the smart#1 compact SUV.
With this news we are guessing about the arrival of Geely electric vehicle sub-brand like Lynk & Co which have been spotted testing in Malaysia for some months already.
With PRO-NET, PROTON will be able to work with the Ministry Of International Trade And Industry to obtain import vehicle approved permits (AP) to import in …… for example ….. LYNK & Co right hand drive electric vehicles and others without relying on third party AP’s.
PRO-NET’s announcement also makes a ‘push’ towards addressing the high number of used and reconditioned electric vehicles currently being brought into the country without proper after-sales and warranty.
PRO-NET will offer full warranty and after sales and with Geely’s strong working relationship with smart and also Volvo Cars in electrified vehicles and battery technology, we can expect reliable electric vehicles and with more affordable prices.
Yes, electric vehicle selling prices are still beyond the reach of middle and lower middle class Malaysians due to high foreign exchange rate (our Ringgit is weak against the US dollar) but with PRO-NET we might actually see a Geely group electric vehicle arriving at just below RM99k.
Sales of the smart#1 electric vehicle is scheduled to start in early Q4 2023.
The first model offered to Malaysians will not be a low priced EV and PRO-NET is now laying the foundations for its introduction.
A top priority for the company will be the deployment of charging solutions for customers and current plans call for the deployment of a home based and public charging network.
