Southeast Asia Spotlight: EV Manufacturers
WORDS BY ANTONINA JOSON
When it comes to EV makers, the likes of BYD and Tesla have made names for themselves around the world. Meanwhile, established legacy manufacturers are attempting to make their own marks in the EV industry to varying success.
Elsewhere in the world, lesser-known automakers are making their own strides to contribute to the EV industry. In Southeast Asia, where electricity is powering the next wave of vehicles, several brands have created their own EVs with great success.
The first: Proton Country of Origin: Malaysia Background:
Proton was founded in 1983 when Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Deputy-Prime Minister at the time, sought to develop Malaysia’ s domestic auto industry with a national car. As a government project, Proton was completely owned by the government at the time and led by Dr. Mahathir.
During its conception, DRB-HICOM held majority stake of Proton with the Mitsubishi Group owning minor stake. By 2012, DRB-HICOM acquired Proton in its entirety. Five years later, the shareholder sold 49.9 per cent of its stake to the Geely Group.
Its name reflects its background as“ Proton” stands for“ Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional” or National Automobile Enterprise.
Its first model, the Proton Saga, was released in 1985 and is the first Malaysia-made car. Forty years later, Proton would begin its venture into EVs with Malaysia’ s first EV-only plant. Built in the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley in Tanjong Malim, the plant opened in September 2025 with an annual production capacity of 20,000 completely knocked down EVs.
Proton’ s EV journey was largely helped by its shareholder Geely. Proton uses Geely’ s manufacturing and distribution network and tech expertise to boost its operations.
Before Proton was acquired by DRB-HICOM, it was already producing the EMAS model. EMAS, or“ Eco Mobility Advance Solution,” also means 28 ISSUE 58 APRIL 2026 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU