PETAGAS: National car maker Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (Proton) inaugurated its research and development (R&D) centre in China last Saturday (April 27) to strengthen its collaboration with its partner Zhejiang Geely Holding Ltd (Geely) and complement its facilities in Malaysia.
Located within the Geely Automobile Research Institute at Hangzhou Bay, the opening of the Proton R&D Centre (China) also coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia.
“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.
“This includes the upgrading of Proton’s homegrown models where the centre will leverage its joint resources with Geely and Proton R&D engineers in Malaysia,” the national carmaker said in a statement, adding Proton will also enhance its competitiveness by leveraging on Geely’s global footprint.
Proton added that the centre will also function as a critical liaison platform to engage with vendors for the continuous development of the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley in Tanjong Malim, Perak, including focusing on business life cycle areas such as quality, procurement, and manufacturing.
“The new centre has three departments namely, the Central Research Institute, Data Intelligence Development Centre, and R&D Digitisation Centre,” it said.
The inauguration event was officiated by Proton chairman Syed Faisal Albar together with Geely Auto Group CEO Jerry Gan; Zhejiang Geely Automotive Research Institute president Li Chuanhai; Hangzhou Bay New District Administrative Committee deputy director Cai Shijie; Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong; and Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah.
