New Era for Malaysia’s Automotive Industry – Proton Moves Entire Production to Tanjong Malim
Proton has entered a defining new chapter in its nearly 40-year history with the complete relocation of its manufacturing operations from Shah Alam to Tanjong Malim. The move marks the end of an era for Malaysia’s first national carmaker and sets the stage for its next phase of growth within the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) in the state of Perak.
The transition sees 1,400 employees from the Shah Alam plant relocate to Tanjong Malim, where Proton now produces the Saga, Persona, S70, and X-series SUVs under one integrated facility. The final Proton Saga assembled in Shah Alam rolled off the line on 30 September 2025, officially closing the chapter on a plant that has shaped Malaysia’s automotive heritage since 1985.
From Shah Alam Legacy to Tanjong Malim Innovation
For nearly four decades, the Shah Alam plant served as the birthplace of Malaysia’s automotive industry. Spanning over 83 hectares with an investment of about RM370 million, it housed the country’s first automotive Research and Development Centre, complete with a semi high-speed test track and advanced testing facilities.
Throughout its lifespan, the facility produced more than 4 million vehicles, including icons such as the Saga, Wira, Perdana, and Exora — models that defined generations of Malaysian motorists.
Now, Proton’s operations continue at Tanjong Malim, home to a state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 facility that features Malaysia’s largest mechanical press in its stamping division and the company’s first New Energy Vehicle (NEV) assembly plant which will assembly its e.Mas models. The move marks Proton’s shift towards higher efficiency, smarter manufacturing, and readiness for the electric mobility era.
To officially welcome the relocated staff, Proton hosted a ceremony at the Tanjong Malim complex, attended by the company’s top management and officiated by Ainol Azmil, Covering Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Proton Holdings Berhad.
“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.
Centralising Malaysia’s Automotive Future
With assembly, R&D, and manufacturing now consolidated under one roof, Proton Tanjong Malim has become the core of the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) — a major initiative aimed at transforming Malaysia into a leading automotive and EV manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.
The facility’s annual production capacity of 250,000 units supports both internal combustion and electrified vehicle manufacturing, including the 1.5L TGDi engine — the first of its kind to be produced outside of China. This integration also strengthens Proton’s local supplier ecosystem through greater component localisation, enhancing competitiveness and export readiness.
Serving as the primary right-hand-drive export hub for Geely Group in Southeast Asia, the Tanjong Malim plant plays a key role in positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in EV and NEV production.
Beyond manufacturing, Proton’s transformation signifies a broader commitment to building a sustainable and future-ready automotive ecosystem, generating high-value jobs and driving innovation in electric mobility and advanced vehicle technologies.
As production ramps up, Proton’s move from Shah Alam to Tanjong Malim not only represents an operational shift — it cements Malaysia’s ambition to lead the next era of automotive excellence.
