Proton has formalised four new joint-ventures (JV) and two technical agreements (TA) between its vendors and Geely suppliers to increase parts localisation and improve vendor competitiveness. For ADAS, long-time Proton supplier Delloyd Technology Bhd has inked a JV with Imotion Automotive Technology (Suzhou) Co Ltd, which supplies to Geely, Zeekr, Chery and Volvo in China. Proton said in a release that Imotion “will help accelerate the development and adoption of ADAS systems for the AMA01.” This pretty much confirms that the upcoming Saga MC3 will have ADAS. For braking systems, an agreement has been signed between PEPS JV (M) Sdn Bhd and Liuzhou Sanly Autoparts Co Ltd – the former will produce in Malaysia, the latter will be responsible for modular assembly of the components. These systems will be used in the new Saga as well as the X50, X70 and X90. For lighting, JHM Consolidation Bhd has signed a JV with Jiangsu Dekai Auto Parts Co Ltd, and for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, the JV is between Trillion Speed (M) Sdn Bhd and Shanghai Yinlun Heat Exchange Systems Co Ltd. The two TAs are SHJ Interia Sdn Bhd-Changchun Fawsn Automotive Trim Co Ltd (for interior components, particularly headlining) and Xenso Electronics Sdn Bhd-Freetech Intelligent Systems Co Ltd (for ADAS, specifically blind spot monitoring and lane change assist). “With high technology components becoming an increasingly vital component in our models, it is vital for Proton to bring the development and production of these components to the local ecosystem, to gain a cost advantage as well as to upskill the capabilities of its R&D team and vendors,” said Proton chief procurement officer Wang Huaibing.
