since 1976
since 1976
PROTON has reached a defining milestone in its history, by moving all its manufacturing operations to Tanjong Malim. After nearly four decades of pioneering local manufacturing at its Shah Alam plant, the final 1,400 manufacturing staff have been relocated to Proton Tanjong Malim in the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV), Perak. The final Proton Saga unit produced at the Shah Alam assembly plant rolled off the line on 30 September 2025, marking the successful transition of Saga production to PROTON’s state-of-the-art Tanjong Malim facility. Production of the model has since moved to Tanjong Malim, where it is built alongside the Persona, X-series SUVs and S70 sedan at the high-tech manufacturing hub that also houses PROTON’s first New Energy Vehicle (NEV) assembly plant.
New era for the national automotive industry
Having begun operation in 1985, the Proton Shah Alam plant has been the birthplace of Malaysia’s automotive legacy. Spanning 83.48 hectares with an investment of about RM370 million, it also housed the nation’s first automotive Research and Development Centre and including a set of comprehensive test facilities and a semi high-speed test track that advanced local engineering capabilities. Over the decades, the plant produced more than 4 million vehicles, including the iconic Saga, Wira, Perdana and Exora. As Proton begins a new chapter in Tanjong Malim, it carries forward the same drive and spirit that defined its early years, building on the momentum that has seen it establish its standing as the automotive brand that inspires connections.
To officially welcome the new staff to their new home, an event was held yesterday at Proton Tanjong Malim, welcoming 1,400 employees. The ceremony was officiated by Ainol Azmil, Covering Deputy Chief Executive Officer, alongside Proton’s top management team.
Tanjong Malim centralises production for PROTON
By centralising assembly, R&D, and manufacturing, PROTON establishes its facility as the world-class core of the Automotive High-Tech Valley (AHTV), a site recognised as a leading automotive site in Southeast Asia. The plant integrates five key production sections - including Engine and Transmission Machining, Stamping, Body Assembly, Paint, and Trim and Final Assembly, enabling efficient and coordinated production of models such as the Proton X-Series, S70, and the iconic Saga. Proton Tanjong Malim operates on an Industry 4.0 ethos, featuring Malaysia's largest mechanical press in the stamping division and a new engine assembly line, which is the first outside of China to produce the 1.5 TGDi engine.
Leveraging on a vehicle production capacity of 250,000 units at its consolidated facility, PROTON continues to strengthen local vendor networks through aggressive component localisation. This strategic scale positions the plant to serve as the primary right-hand-drive export hub for the Geely Group in Southeast Asia, and crucially, includes Malaysia's first dedicated Electric Vehicle (EV) assembly plant. This comprehensive commitment ensures a resilient supply chain and robust growth for Malaysia's domestic supplier ecosystem while simultaneously generating new, high-value job opportunities in the Electric Vehicle industrialisation and technical services sector.
“Today marks a historic milestone for PROTON as 1,400 colleagues from Shah Alam begin a new journey at Tanjong Malim. With their decades of dedication and experience, PROTON is prepared for the journey ahead, positioning our plant as the primary hub for the next generation of Proton vehicles,” said Ainol Azmil, Covering Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
