Proton Tanjung Malim plant clocks 10k 1.5 TGDI engines production milestone

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton’s new engine assembly line at the Tanjung Malim plant has been operational since April this year and is making 1.5 TGDI for the Proton X70 upgraded in June. Fast forward to today, the automaker celebrates the 10k production milestone of the new unit with the 10,000th unit of the 1.5 TGDI engine rolled off the line on December 1, 2022, i.e. just after 7 months.

“PROTON’s new engine line is testimony to the grit and determination of our workers to overcoming obstacles and achieving our goals. It is one of the most advanced engine assembly lines in Malaysia with a high level of automation, a climate-controlled environment, and multiple testing gateways to ensure the high quality of its output. In 2023 we are targeting an output of 60,000 engines, which will be used across several Proton models,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer, PROTON.

Proton states that the milestone is a part of the brand’s commitment to invest RM1.8 billion in renovating the Tanjung Malim plant. The decision of building the new assembly line was taken amid the problem of the spare parts delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was initiated while the nation was witnessing the MCO.

Proton engineers stationed themselves at Tanjung Malim to begin the assembly. They worked together with teams from equipment suppliers and Geely in China via virtual meeting software. The engineers also mapped out the production line, unboxed the components painstakingly, and started the initial work, explained the automaker.

Further, it added that the operational expansion plan is in accordance with the DRB-HICOM Automotive High Technology Valley (AHTV) program's initial strategic focus, which seeks maximisation of manufacturing activities in the region. 

Also read: Proton announces sales numbers for November 2022