New Smart 1 model Malaysian automaker Proton has signed an agreement with German-Chinese auto brand Smart to distribute the latter’s electric vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand from the fourth quarter of 2023, Proton said in a statement on August 18. Smart is a joint venture of Germany’s Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely switched to producing only battery-powered versions of its current Smart Fortwo model range in 2017. It will start production in 2023 of an electric subcompact crossover called the Smart 1, which will be the model Proton sells. For Proton, entering the electric vehicle market…
Malaysian automaker Proton has signed an agreement with German-Chinese auto brand Smart to distribute the latter’s electric vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand from the fourth quarter of 2023, Proton said in a statement on August 18.
Smart, a joint venture between Germany’s Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely, has switched to producing only battery-powered versions of its current Smart Fortwo model range in 2017.
It will start production in 2023 of an electric subcompact crossover called the Smart 1, which will be the model Proton sells.
For Proton, entering the electric vehicle market “marks a big step,” said Li Chunrong, the company’s chief executive.
“Smart’s first phase of business was focused on retail, but it provided us with valuable knowledge and experience not only about how to service and charge electric vehicles, but also how to change the way we interact with our customers,” he added.
Environmental friendly
The foray into this segment will also help push Proton to be “greener in every aspect of its operations” as the automaker works to help Malaysia achieve its carbon neutrality target by 2050, Lee added.
Proton also announced its intention to model Smart’s retail business based on the company’s business model in other markets.
digital lifestyle
This will include a “high emphasis on an integrated digital lifestyle” and other elements as part of a connected digital solution for smart cars, including trip planning, charging availability and even purchasing considerations.
Homegrown Malaysian automaker Proton was established in 1985 under then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad with the goal of building a national auto industry. However, Proton had stubborn troubles with profitability, eventually selling a 49.9% stake to China’s Geely Auto in 2017.
