Proton introduces a new hi-tech engine assembly line

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton’s best-selling SUVs, the X50 and X70, come equipped with a three-cylinder turbo gasoline direct injection engine. The said engine was being imported from China to date as its local assembly has now commenced at the brand’s Tanjung Malim plant. It is the first time it has been assembled outside of China.

Proton recently gave a tour of this new hi-tech engine assembly line to the media guests. Here are the key details -

• Located at the company’s Tanjung Malim’s Engine and Powertrain facility, it is one of the most advanced automotive engine assembly lines in the country.
• It covers an area of 18,000 sq metre and has a maximum capacity of producing 180,000 engines annually when running on three shifts. 
• It features 88 stations comprising 17 automatic, 15 semi-automatic, and 56 manual stations and is built using an IR 4.0 ethos with a high level of automation.

• The automaker undertakes strict quality control at the assembly line. It uses Internet of Things (IoT) tech throughout the assembly process to capture and analyse data to ensure standards are met. This comprises 207 Error Mistake Proofing controls and 34 intelligent high-resolution cameras, which are installed on the assembly line for the prevention of process and assembly defects and reduction of downtime with real-time defect detection.
• All workers of the line have received extensive training from Geely and the suppliers of the machines that are being in use, including ABB, COMAU, FEV India, FEV China, WiBeda, and Hangxin. 

• It comes under the company’s efforts to upgrade its facilities at Tanjung Malim and is a part of the RM1.8 billion earmarked for the purpose.

“PROTON’s new engine assembly line showcases the company keeping its promises to its stakeholders. When the agreement was made to partner with Geely in 2017, one of our commitments was to invest in Malaysia’s automotive industry both financially and through the introduction of new high-technology components. The new assembly line does this while also giving PROTON an avenue to attract and develop young talents who will help drive the automotive industry and the company into the future,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PROTON.

A brief on the drivetrain 

Being an award-winning mill, this three-cylinder 1.5 TGDI mill has deployed over 750,000 vehicles of the Geely Group brands sold globally. Among its utilising solutions are engine downsizing, optimised thermal and lubrication systems, a low inertia turbocharger, and reduced fuel consumption and emissions. It also complies with the Euro 6 requirements.

Also read: Proton Malaysia’s sales performance in June 2022