PROTON Drives Malaysia-Brunei Connectivity Through 10,000 sMILEs Expedition
PROTON continued its 10,000 sMILEs Expedition with a cross-border drive from Sabah into Brunei, showcasing the real-world capability, fuel efficiency and practicality of its vehicles while strengthening regional ties between Malaysia and Brunei.
The expedition saw a convoy of 10 PROTON vehicles comprising the Proton Saga, Proton S70 and Proton X50 travel from Kota Kinabalu through Beaufort before crossing into Brunei. The route was designed to replicate everyday ownership conditions, including highway cruising, urban traffic, border crossings and long-distance driving.
Beyond demonstrating vehicle performance, the journey highlighted the role of mobility in connecting communities, businesses and tourism activities across Borneo, in line with the spirit of Visit Malaysia 2026.
Real-World Test Across Borneo Roads
According to PROTON, the expedition focused on evaluating vehicle performance under actual driving conditions rather than controlled testing environments.
The Proton Saga demonstrated its strengths as an affordable and practical sedan for daily commuting and long-distance travel. Equipped with a 1.5-litre i-GT engine paired with a CVT transmission, the model also offered features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera, parking sensors and a 420-litre boot.
Meanwhile, the Proton S70 highlighted its long-distance touring credentials with its 1.5-litre turbocharged i-GT engine, spacious cabin and 500-litre luggage capacity. Features such as a 360-degree HD camera with 3D display and remote engine start were also put to use during the journey.
The Proton X50 represented the SUV segment in the convoy, and showed off its ride comfort, stability and performance across varying road conditions. Its suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Change Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, contributed to driver confidence during the expedition.
Refreshed PROTON Retail Experience In Beaufort
Before entering Brunei, the convoy made a stop at PROTON OBM Automobil Beaufort, where the dealership unveiled its refreshed corporate identity.
The updated showroom reflects PROTON’s efforts to enhance customer experience through improved retail environments and engagement touchpoints that align with the brand’s evolving standards.
The stop also provided an opportunity for people to experience the vehicles firsthand.
Brunei Leg Strengthens Regional Relationships
The Brunei chapter concluded with a customer and stakeholder engagement session at Econ Motors Showroom.
The event brought together customers, dealer representatives, local communities and government stakeholders, including representatives from Brunei Tourism and His Excellency Datuk Mohd Aini Atan, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam.
PROTON said the engagement underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration while supporting stronger tourism, business and people-to-people connections between the two neighbouring nations.
More Than A Vehicle Convoy
According to PROTON Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, the expedition demonstrates how mobility extends beyond transportation by connecting people, places and communities across borders.
He said the Sabah-to-Brunei journey also allowed PROTON to showcase the fuel efficiency, comfort, intelligent technologies and long-distance capability of its vehicles under real-world driving conditions while strengthening the brand’s presence in Brunei and the wider Borneo region.
The 10,000 sMILEs Expedition will continue with upcoming stages across Sarawak, featuring public activities, dealership collaborations, cultural engagements and customer-focused driving experiences.
CarTok Editor’s Note
The significance of the 10,000 sMILEs Expedition is not that PROTON drove a convoy across a border. Any modern vehicle can do that. The Sabah-Brunei journey presented the kind of long-distance, mixed-condition driving that many owners in Borneo experience. For PROTON, it is an opportunity to demonstrate its products in the same environment customers use them, while reinforcing that automotive mobility can also support tourism and regional trade.
