Proton
Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn. Bhd.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia's national carmaker, founded in 1983 as a government project and now controlled jointly by conglomerate DRB-HICOM (50.1%) and China's Geely (49.9%), which bought in during 2017. Its e.MAS electric sub-brand, launched December 2024, became the fastest brand in Malaysian history to reach 30,000 electrified registrations.
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About
Proton was founded in 1983 as Malaysia’s national car project, built to give the country its own domestic auto industry rather than relying on imports. Its early models were developed with Mitsubishi, and for decades Proton was the default choice for Malaysian buyers, backed by tariff protection that shielded it from foreign competition.
That protection eroded as Malaysia opened its car market, and by the 2010s Proton needed a partner with modern platforms and capital. In 2017, conglomerate DRB-HICOM, which had held Proton since 2012, sold 49.9% of the company to China’s Geely for RM460 million (~$114 million). The same agreement handed Geely a controlling stake in Lotus, then a Proton subsidiary. DRB-HICOM retained 50.1% and control of the board.
Geely’s platforms became the basis for Proton’s newest models, including the electrified e.MAS sub-brand launched in December 2024 with the e.MAS 7 SUV. The e.MAS 5 hatchback and a plug-in hybrid version of the 7 followed, all assembled in Malaysia rather than imported complete. Within 20 months, e.MAS became the fastest brand in Malaysian history to pass 30,000 electrified registrations.
Global website proton.com
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Proton?
Proton is owned by DRB-HICOM (50.1%) and Geely (49.9%).
What country are Proton cars from?
Proton is a Malaysia brand, headquartered in Shah Alam.
When was Proton founded?
Proton was founded in 1983.
What kind of cars does Proton make?
Proton makes national mainstream cars and, under the e.MAS sub-brand, electric and plug-in hybrid models built on Geely platforms.
Who owns Proton?
Malaysian conglomerate DRB-HICOM holds 50.1% of Proton and China's Geely holds the remaining 49.9%, a stake it bought in 2017. The same deal gave Geely a controlling stake in British sports-car maker Lotus, which was then a Proton subsidiary.
What is Proton e.MAS?
e.MAS is Proton's electrified sub-brand, launched in December 2024 with the e.MAS 7 electric SUV. It later added the e.MAS 5 hatchback and a plug-in hybrid version of the 7. All three are built on Geely-developed platforms and assembled in Malaysia.
Is Proton a Chinese or Malaysian company?
Proton is Malaysian, founded in 1983 as a national car project and still headquartered in Shah Alam, Selangor. Geely's 49.9% stake makes it a minority shareholder and technology partner, not the owner.