At the Global Automotive and Technology Expo 2026 (GATE 2026) this week, PROTON is providing a preview of automotive technology it is developing and will introduce in new models in future.
The automaker’s booth at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) has displays which show engineering developments across electrification, vehicle architecture, safety systems, and manufacturing operations.
The focus, with the theme ‘PROTON ADVANCES. MALAYSIA MOVES FORWARD’, is on core technology areas such as hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) systems, electrical and electronic architecture (EEA), its 1.5-litre i-GT turbocharged petrol engine, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). It is also developing new infotainment technology with its subsidiary, ACO Tech.
Collaborating with Geely
PROTON’s Deputy CEO, Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, said the showcase focuses on the underlying engineering and mobility ecosystems developed alongside partner Geely, rather than standalone vehicle models alone.
“PROTON has changed significantly since our partnership with Geely began. We have renewed our model range, strengthened engineering and manufacturing, developed new energy vehicle capabilities and brought more advanced technology to Malaysian consumers. GATE 2026 allows us to show that progress through the systems behind our vehicles, not only the vehicles themselves,” he said.
Rapidly growing sales
The technology updates arrive amidst the surge in retail performance. Proton recorded 157,976 vehicle sales in 2025 alongside an export total of 6,000 units. For the first 7 months of 2026, sales reached 118,788 units — a 38.7% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Models in the Proton e.MAS range with electrified powertrains accounted for an increasing portion of this growth.
“These results demonstrate why continued investment in technology matters. New capabilities help us produce better vehicles, serve more customers and create opportunities for Malaysian engineers, vendors and technology partners. They also strengthen Malaysia’s ability to compete as a regional centre for advanced automotive manufacturing,” Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa said.
ISO certification
The Malaysian automaker also received its ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management Systems certification issued by the British Standards Institution at the event. PROTON is the first passenger vehicle manufacturer in Malaysia to receive this international accreditation which establishes a framework to track and manage energy usage across its production operations.
The certification supports an internal target to improve manufacturing energy efficiency by 2% annually. Operational adjustments at the manufacturing complex in Tanjung Malim, Perak include solar photovoltaic integration, LED lighting conversions, and automated energy tracking.
Reports indicate the facility’s solar array reduced total carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 48,453 tonnes through December 2025.
Working with MARii
The GATE 2026 showcase follows recent technical exchanges between PROTON and the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii). The agreement covers access to shared testing facilities, utilization of the National Automotive Test Centre, and skill exposure programs for internal research and development engineers.
