Proton Malaysia’s new EV plant to create over 200 jobs in EV industrialisation and technical services
Summary
Proton has launched its first assembly plant dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles at Proton Tanjung Malim in Perak. The facility, located within the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV), is expected to be operational by November 2025 and will initially assemble the Proton e.MAS 7 followed by the e.MAS 5. Built on 5.57 acres with an RM82 million investment, the plant combines automation with skilled operators and has an annual capacity of 20,000 units, scalable to 45,000.
Key Points
- The new EV plant will create over 200 jobs in EV industrialisation and technical services for the local community.
- Site: Automotive High Tech Valley (Tanjung Malim, Perak); operational target: November 2025.
- Production: starts with Proton e.MAS 7, then e.MAS 5; initial workforce expansion already added 30 trained EV production staff.
- Investment: RM82 million; capacity: 20,000 units per year, scalable to 45,000 to meet growing demand.
- Strategic support from Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has enabled technology transfer, talent development and further workforce growth (Proton workforce grew from 1,600 in 2023 to 4,000 by July 2025).
Content summary
The article covers Proton’s announcement of its dedicated EV assembly plant and its expected economic and workforce effects. It highlights the facility’s location, timeline, initial vehicle models, trained hires already onboarded, investment size and production capacity. Government and company leaders — including Proton’s CEO Dr Li Chunrong and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim — frame the plant as a milestone in Malaysia’s automotive and industrial policy, and Proton’s planned R&D centre and scalable production aim to support longer-term job creation and skills development.
Context and relevance
This development matters to HR professionals, supply-chain stakeholders, skills and training providers, and regional policymakers. It signals Malaysia’s push to industrialise EV manufacturing, increases local demand for technical roles and upskilling, and may attract further supplier and investment activity in the Automotive High Tech Valley. The plant also reflects wider industry trends: OEMs localising EV assembly, public–private technology transfers and targeted investments to build domestic EV ecosystems.
Author style
Punchy: This is a clear milestone for Malaysia’s automotive sector — a concrete factory, real jobs and a visible path to scale. If you follow workforce trends, manufacturing or EV adoption in APAC, the detail here matters.
Why should I read this?
Quick and useful — Proton’s new EV plant isn’t just another factory opening. It’s creating hundreds of specialist roles, boosting local upskilling and signalling where automotive jobs and supply‑chain opportunities will be in Malaysia. Read this if you want the gist on jobs, industry direction and who’s investing in EV capability locally.