Proton is a Malaysia based corporation active in automobile design, manufacturing, distribution and sales. Proton was established in 1983 as the sole national badged car company until the advent of Perodua in 1993. The company is headquartered in Shah Alm, Selangor, and operates additional facilities at Proton City. ‘PROTON’ is a Malay acronym for Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional (National Automobile Company).
Proton was originally a manufacturer of rebadged Mitsubishi Motors (NMC products in the 1980s and 1990s. Since the 2000s, Proton has produced several locally engineered models, and the company is presently Southeast Asia’s sole automobile company with full R&D capabilities. Proton cars are currently sold in at least 10 countries, the majority of which are in Asia.
Proton was originally owned in majority by HICOM, with minority stakes being held by Mitsubishi Group members. By 2005, Mitsubishi had divested their stake in Proton to Khazanah Nasional, and in 2012, Proton was fully acquired by DRB HICOM. Proton has been the owner of Lotus Cars since 1996.
Proton, predominantly reliant on its domestic market, is presently undergoing a transformation process as part of a long-term turnaround plan, with hopes of returning to profitability and regaining an international presence.