It’s confirmed Proton will bring in Smart electric vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand in Q4 2023. Proton has finally signed the distributor agreement that will allow it to do so. This partnership makes Proton the exclusive distributor of Smart EVs in both Malaysia and Thailand – which is a premium EV joint-venture company between German-based Mercedes-Benz and China-based Geely Group.
Based on the information, Smart EVs will not be rebranded as Geely vehicles. Instead, it will be a premium electric car from a brand in which the Geely Group has shares. Proton announced that the first model of the imported Smart EVs would be available in Malaysia in the Q4 of 2023.
Regarding the tax exemptions as introduced by the government for imported EVs, Proton said they have made an official request for the government to consider an extension of the excise duties and tax incentives for EVs.
“It would give the people a chance to enjoy the smart #1 at a reasonable and affordable price.”
“We need this, as it takes some time for us to develop the completely built-up unit,” Proton’s deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah said.
He further said that Proton will open for bookings one month before the launch of the Smart EVs. He emphasised that they will announce it when the time comes.
The Smart Evs will be sold at a premium selling price. He stressed that it’s difficult to imagine that it would be priced below RM150,000 per unit. According to Roslan, they are targeting buyers between 25 and 35 years old or those who are those young at heart or those who are young at heart and can afford cars that are priced above RM200,000.
Furthermore, the national carmaker expects to sell between 800 and 1,000 Smart Evs per year in Malaysia. The company also announced plans to invest in an EV charging network including the installation of domestic units for customers to charge their vehicles at home.
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