Proton produces 10k 1.5 TGDi engines in Tg Malim, targets 60k in 2023 – CKD engine in X50 and X90 too?

Proton celebrated the manufacturing of the ten,000th 1.5 TGDI engine at its Tanjung Malim engine meeting plant on December 1. The milestone was achieved simply seven months after the primary unit rolled off the road in April this yr. Subsequent yr, the carmaker’s goal is to roll out 60,000 models of the turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

“Proton’s new engine line is testimony to the grit and dedication of our employees to overcoming obstacles and reaching our objectives. It is likely one of the most superior engine meeting traces in Malaysia with a excessive stage of automation, a climate-controlled setting and a number of testing gateways to make sure the top quality of its output,” stated Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong.

“In 2023 we’re focusing on an output of 60,000 engines, which can be used throughout a number of Proton fashions,” the Proton chief added.

Observe “a number of Proton fashions” in Li’s assertion. At present, solely the Proton X70 MC – launched in June this yr – makes use of the CKD 1.5 TGDI. The identical engine within the X50 Flagship is made in China, as is the port injection (PFI) model of the 1.5L three-pot turbo in different X50 variants. It is a clear signal that the X50’s TGDI will quickly be domestically sourced. Proton’s engine plant can also be able to making the PFI engine, so a CKD PFI within the X50 is a not a matter of if, however when.

There’s extra to this. 60k is a pretty big quantity, and primarily based on 2022 gross sales of the X70 and X50, there can be a surplus of the 177 PS/255 Nm engine. This might effectively imply that there can be one other mannequin utilizing the 1.5 TGDI subsequent yr, and we all know that Proton is at present readying a big SUV tipped to be known as the X90. The seven-seater, primarily based on China’s Geely Haoyue a.okay.a. Okavango within the Philippines, has been street testing in Malaysia for a while now. We’ll see.

Proton says that the domestically made engines is a part of the corporate’s dedication to take a position RM1.8 billion to improve its services in Tanjung Malim, and the fruits of a journey that started in 2019, taken underneath difficult situations. Having made the choice to construct the brand new engine meeting line, building and the supply of components was delayed by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Nonetheless, a call was made to maneuver forwards whereas the nation underwent a motion management order. The operational enlargement plan is in keeping with the primary strategic thrust of the DRB-Hicom Automotive Excessive Know-how Valley (AHTV) programme that goals to maximise manufacturing actions within the area,” the corporate stated in an announcement.

“This was made potential by a group of Proton engineers who stationed themselves at Tanjung Malim to start meeting work. Working collectively by way of digital assembly software program with groups from gear suppliers and Geely in China, they painstakingly unboxed the parts, mapped out the manufacturing line and commenced preliminary meeting works,” it added.

Learn extra on Proton’s Tanjung Malim engine plant right here.