Written by Proton Holdings
Proton Holdings is Malaysia’s first national carmaker, founded in 1983 and now owned by DRB-HICOM and Geely. In this guide you’ll find the 2026 lineup, from the Saga to the e.MAS electric cars, as well as the Lotus years, the history and the rally titles.
Proton Holdings at a Glance
Founded 1983 Malaysia’s national car project
Main plant Tanjung Malim, Perak Proton City, opened 2003
Owners DRB-HICOM and Geely 50.1% and 49.9%, since 2017
Sales, 2025 157,976 No. 2 in Malaysia
Leadership Li Chunrong CEO since 2017
Cars built 5 million Milestone reached in 2024
Proton Holdings Model Lineup
Proton Holdings builds affordable sedans and SUVs for Malaysia, and since 2017 most new models have been based on Geely cars. The core gas models are below. In addition, the e.MAS brand sells the e.MAS 7 and e.MAS 5 electric SUVs, as well as an e.MAS 7 plug-in hybrid that arrived in February 2026.
Sedans (3)
Small sedan
Saga
Gas From RM38,990
The Saga has been Proton’s entry car since 1985, and the latest version launched on November 27, 2025. Above all, it now uses a Geely-derived 1.5-liter engine with 120 PS. In fact, it was Malaysia’s best-selling vehicle in September 2026.
Compact sedan
Persona
Gas From RM47,800
The current Persona arrived in August 2016 on a stretched Iriz platform, and it uses a 1.6-liter engine. It’s been facelifted twice, in 2019 and 2021, so it’s an older design but a cheap, roomy sedan.
Compact sedan
S70
Gas Based on the Geely Emgrand
The S70 launched on November 28, 2023, and it’s based on the fourth-generation Geely Emgrand. You get a 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder with 150 PS and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. As a result, it’s the sportiest sedan in the range.
SUVs (3)
Small SUV
X50
Gas Based on the Geely Binyue
The X50 arrived on October 27, 2020, and it’s been built at Tanjung Malim from the start. Then a July 2025 facelift added a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder with 181 PS. As a result, it has been the top-selling B-segment SUV in Malaysia for five years in a row.
Midsize SUV
X70
Gas Based on the Geely Boyue
The X70 launched on December 12, 2018, as the first Geely-based Proton. At first it came from China, but local assembly started in December 2019. Later, a 1.5-liter turbo with 177 PS arrived in 2022.
Large SUV
X90
Mild hybrid Based on the Geely Haoyue
The X90 arrived in May 2023 as Proton’s biggest SUV, and it uses a 1.5-liter turbo with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. In fact, an X90 Flagship was Proton’s 5 millionth car in 2024.
What Is Proton Holdings?
Proton Holdings was founded on May 7, 1983, as Malaysia’s national car project under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The first Saga arrived on July 9, 1985, and it was based on the Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore.
Meanwhile, Proton bought 80% of Lotus in 1996 and owned all of it by 2003. However, sales slowed in the 2010s, so DRB-HICOM took over in 2012, and then Geely bought 49.9% of Proton in 2017.
Since then, Proton has rebuilt its lineup around Geely models. As a result, sales grew to 157,976 in 2025, and the first nine months of 2026 brought 160,886 sales, the best nine-month result since 2002.
Proton Holdings History
Proton Holdings has gone from a Mitsubishi-based sedan to a lineup of Geely-based SUVs and EVs, so these are the key steps.
- 1983 Proton is founded on May 7 as Malaysia’s national car company.
- 1985 The first Saga goes on sale, based on the Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore.
- 1989 Proton enters the UK, where it stays until 2016.
- 1993 The Wira launches, and then the Satria follows in 1994.
- 1996 Proton buys 80% of Lotus, while the Putra and Tiara launch.
- 2000 The Waja arrives as Proton’s first in-house design.
- 2003 Then the Tanjung Malim plant opens in November.
- 2004 The Gen-2 launches, and after that the Persona arrives in 2007.
- 2012 DRB-HICOM takes over Proton in January.
- 2017 However, Lotus is sold, and Geely buys 49.9% of Proton.
- 2018 The X70 arrives as the first Geely-based Proton.
- 2023 Later, the X90 and S70 join the lineup.
- 2024 Proton builds its 5 millionth car in June, and the e.MAS 7 EV launches in December.
- 2025 Shah Alam production ends, the EV plant opens and the e.MAS 5 and new Saga launch.
- 2026 Finally, the e.MAS 7 plug-in hybrid launches, and nine-month sales hit a 24-year high.
Iconic Proton Models
Proton Holdings has built many everyday cars, but these six models tell the story best.
1985
Saga
Mitsubishi basis 2 million+ sold
The first Saga used a 1.3-liter Mitsubishi engine and the body of the Lancer Fiore. In fact, more than 2 million Sagas were sold between 1985 and 2024.
1993
Wira
Sedan and hatch 952,216 sold
The Wira was based on the 1991 Mitsubishi Lancer, and it stayed on sale until 2009. As a result, it became one of Proton’s biggest sellers, with 952,216 sold.
1998
Satria GTi
1.8 liters Handling by Lotus
The Satria GTi was the hot hatch of the range, with a 1.8-liter engine and 138 bhp. In addition, Lotus engineers retuned it at Hethel, so it wore a Handling by Lotus badge.
1996
Tiara
Citroen AX basis Built until 2000
The Tiara was a small hatchback based on the Citroen AX, and it used a 1.1-liter engine. However, it was only sold from 1996 to 2000.
2000
Waja
Sedan First in-house design
The Waja was the first car Proton designed in-house, so it marked a big step away from rebadged Mitsubishis.
1995
Perdana
Executive sedan Two generations
In general, the first Perdana was based on the Mitsubishi Eterna. Later, the second generation, sold from 2013 to 2020, was based on the Honda Accord.
Who Owns Proton Holdings?
Proton Holdings is owned by two companies: Malaysia’s DRB-HICOM holds 50.1%, while China’s Geely holds 49.9%. When AutoGathering has a page for a brand, its name below links to that page.
Main owner DRB-HICOM 50.1%, since 2012
This page Proton Holdings Malaysia
Stake Geely 49.9% of Proton, since 2017
Brand e.MAS Electric cars, since 2024
Plant Proton City, Tanjung Malim Main plant, since 2003
Plant EV plant, Tanjung Malim Opened in 2025
Partner brands
Proton has based cars on models from these brands, or owned them in the past.
For example, Geely is a minority owner, but it also supplies the platforms and engines for most of today’s Protons.
Earlier history
- Lotus (1996–2017) Proton bought 80% of Lotus in 1996 and sold it in 2017, with 51% going to Geely.
- Mitsubishi The first Saga, the Wira and the first Perdana were all based on Mitsubishi cars.
- UK sales (1989–2016) Proton sold 141,209 cars in the UK before it pulled out.
- Shah Alam plant (1985–2025) Proton ended 40 years of production there in 2025 and moved work to Tanjung Malim.
Proton Holdings Accomplishments
The record of Proton Holdings is about putting Malaysia on wheels, as well as a strong comeback under Geely.
5 million
Total cars
Proton built its 5 millionth car, an X90 Flagship, in June 2024, 41 years after it was founded.
2 million+
Saga sales
More than 2 million Sagas were sold between 1985 and 2024.
160,886
Sales, Jan–Sep 2026
Proton sold 160,886 cars in the first nine months of 2026, its best nine-month total since 2002.
26.9%
Market share, 2026
Proton’s share of the Malaysian market rose to 26.9% for January to September 2026.
6,000
Exports, 2025
Similarly, exports hit about 6,000 cars in 2025, the highest since 2012.
40,000
e.MAS deliveries
In fact, the e.MAS brand delivered about 40,000 cars in its first 20 months.
3 titles
Asia-Pacific rally
Karamjit Singh won three Asia-Pacific Rally Championship titles in Proton cars.
952,216
Wira sales
In addition, the Wira sold 952,216 cars between 1993 and 2009.
Proton Racing History
Proton Holdings made its name in motorsport on gravel, through the Proton PERT and Proton R3 rally teams. Its best results came in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, where Proton won the manufacturers’ title three times.
Asia-Pacific Rally Championship
Proton in Asia-Pacific rallying
4 drivers’ titles 3 makers’ titles
Karamjit Singh won the Asia-Pacific drivers’ title in a Proton PERT in 2001, 2002 and 2004, and he also took the 2002 Production World Rally Championship. Later, Alister McRae won the 2011 title in a Satria Neo S2000, while Proton won the makers’ titles in 2002, 2004 and 2011.
Talk Proton With Other Owners
When you own a Proton, you’ll have plenty to share, whether it’s a daily Saga, a family X70 or a classic Satria GTi. Soon, AutoGathering will connect this page to a Proton community space where you can swap tips, compare models and plan meetups.
- Saga and Persona
- S70
- X50, X70 and X90
- e.MAS 7 and e.MAS 5
- Satria GTi and Satria Neo
- Wira and Waja
- Proton rally history
- Buying used
Proton Holdings FAQ
Who owns Proton Holdings?
Proton Holdings is owned by DRB-HICOM, with 50.1%, and Geely, with 49.9%. In general, Geely bought its stake in 2017, when Lotus was sold.
Is Proton a Chinese brand?
No. Proton is a Malaysian company, although most of its current models are based on Geely cars from China.
Where are Proton cars built?
Proton builds its cars at Tanjung Malim in Perak, which also has a new EV plant. However, the old Shah Alam plant stopped production in 2025.
What is the best-selling Proton?
The Saga is the best-selling Proton, with more than 2 million sold since 1985.
Does Proton still own Lotus?
No. Proton bought Lotus in 1996 but sold it in 2017, when Geely took 51%.
Does Proton make electric cars?
Yes. The e.MAS brand sells the e.MAS 7, launched in December 2024, and the smaller e.MAS 5, launched in October 2025.
Is Proton bigger than Perodua?
No. Perodua is still the No. 1 brand in Malaysia, while Proton Holdings is No. 2. For example, Perodua sold 359,904 cars in 2025, while Proton sold 157,976.
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Photo credits
- Header image: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Dark blue Proton Saga MC3 sedan on…: Leongyy02, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Red Proton Persona sedan, front three-quarter view: DRIVEN COMMUNICATIONS SDN BHD, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Proton S70 1.5 T Flagship sedan,…: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, cropped and resized.
- White 2025 Proton X50 facelift SUV on…: Liauzh, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- 2024 Proton X70 Executive SUV, rear view: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Proton X90 SUV, front view: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Green 1985 Proton Saga sedan in Kuala…: davocano, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- White 1996 Proton Wira XLi sedan: OSX, Public domain, cropped and resized.
- Silver 2000 Proton Satria GTi hatchback: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Red Proton Tiara hatchback in Sungai Besi,…: User:Two hundred percent., CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.
- Red second-generation Proton Perdana 2.0 sedan: Bindydad123, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver 2004 Proton Waja 1.6 sedan: Manoj Prasad from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped and resized.
- Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 rally car…: Ozizo, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped and resized.