Proton electric vehicle plant in Tanjung Malim is set to begin operation in mid-September, just 6 months after its official groundbreaking ceremony. The plant is almost 87% completed at the moment, according to the national automaker.
Specifically, the building itself is already 90.4% completed, while the equipment installation’s current progress is 83.5%. According to Proton’s Head of Manufacturing Engineering, Wan Yousry Mohamed, one of the critical milestones that the plant has achieved is the Machine Try Out (MTO) stage.
“This trial run is to continuously check on our equipment readiness. We are now in the final stages of preparing the zones for the TF equipment installation and integration. All equipment calibration and validation activities will be carried out progressively during these phases, ensuring we are fully prepared for the production launch.” – Wan Yousry Mohamed, Head of Manufacturing Engineering, Proton.
Proton pointed out that EV production lines are different from ICE vehicles as they require specialised areas for battery assembly and electrical testing with high-voltage safety in mind. Hence, the new plant has also been designed to address flat EV underbodies and electric drive units.
Naturally, Proton has also leveraged the vast knowledge that its co-principal, Geely, has when it comes to building an EV production plant. The national automaker said that Geely has provided technical guidance on the production systems and equipment selections.
In addition to that, Geely has also sent experts to help with installations and trial runs. Furthermore, Proton staff have also been provided training overseas to help ensure that the new Tanjung Malim EV plant meets global EV manufacturing standards.
Proton said there will be over 200 new jobs, specialising in EV industrialisation and technical services, created through the establishment of the new EV plant. Over 30 non-executive key personnel with Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) and diploma backgrounds are currently going through training to get them ready for the full-scale production this September.
To further ensure the long-term development of local talents, the national automaker has collaborated with Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah (PSAS) by providing the institution with technical syllabus input and hands-on training initiatives. Located in the nearby Behrang Stesen, it is one of the nearest TVET institutions to Automotive Hi-Tech Valley and has an automotive-centric centre called Polytechnic Centre of Technology Automotive and Manufacturing (POLCAM).
Built to cater to both Malaysia and international markets, the new RM82 million plant is designed to deliver 20,000 units per year at first, but can be scaled up to 45,000 units. The first model that will be produced at the RM82 million plant is the Proton e.MAS 7, which will then be followed by the new Proton e.MAS 5.
Proton to start producing EV in Tanjung Malim this September
News Reports PH
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