PETALING JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd has signed a new memorandum of agreement (MoA) with smart Automobile that will see both parties studying the feasibility of locally assembling smart vehicles at the national carmaker’s Tanjung Malim plant.

In a statement, Proton chief executive officer Dr Li Chunrong said: “The new MoA brings our collaboration to a new level as now we are talking about assembling smart models in Malaysia.

“As an automotive manufacturer, Proton always intended to raise our involvement with smart beyond distribution for the Asean region as there are many efficiencies to take advantage of because both companies are members of the Geely Group.”

Both parties signed an MoA in 2022 that led to the appointment of Proton as the official distributor for smart vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand.

“A general distributorship agreement was signed in August last year, which was quickly followed by the formation of Pro-Net, Proton’s subsidiary to represent the company’s interests in the electric vehicle (EV) space.

“Since then, Proton has sent groups of workers to China for on-job-training stints specific to the EV industry to build a talent pool for its own future EV market plans,” said Proton.

It said that it had also tested the smart #1 extensively in Malaysia to gain knowledge of its performance when driven in the unique climate and road conditions here.

“Pro-Net, meanwhile has signed an memorandum of understanding with Gentari, the renewable energy arm of PETRONAS, built working relationships with other EV ecosystem stakeholders, appointed ten smart dealers as well as introduced the smart #1 to the public at various events.”

Li added that Proton has committed to introducing more new energy vehicles (NEV) in the future.

“After the launch of the Proton X90, our first NEV, we are excited by the opportunity to learn more about EVs from our collaboration with smart.

“Going forwards, all our production activities will be centred at the Automotive High Tech Valley in Tanjung Malim, which will also help in our goal to turn Malaysia into a regional EV hub.”