Proton: owner, models, markets and what the name means
Facts checked United States status as of 4 September 2026
- Private
- Hong Kong Stock Exchange 0175
- Nasdaq Stockholm VOLCAR B
- Nasdaq PSNY
- Nasdaq LOT
Proton is Malaysia's national carmaker, established on 7 May 1983 and based in Shah Alam, Selangor, with a second complex at Proton City in Perak. It was the country's only national car company until Perodua arrived in 1993.
Geely Holding agreed in May 2017 to buy 49.9% from DRB-HICOM and completed the purchase in October 2017, in the same round of deals that sold Lotus. DRB-HICOM kept 50.1% and control, so Proton is a Chinese-invested Malaysian company rather than a Chinese-owned one. In January 2023 Geely International (Hong Kong) agreed to sell that 49.9% to listed Geely Automobile Holdings for RMB 1,063 million plus US$56.39 million for a shareholder loan; independent shareholders approved the transfer on 28 April 2023 and it completed that month.
The partnership works through platform and technology transfer rather than badge engineering alone. Proton sold 162,601 vehicles in 2025. Its first battery electric car, the e.MAS 7, is based on the Geely Galaxy E5.
Geely holds 49.9%; DRB-HICOM Berhad of Malaysia holds 50.1% and control. Proton is an associate of Geely Automobile Holdings, not a subsidiary.
Key facts
| Chinese name | 宝腾 “BAO-tung” no literal meaning; a transliteration of 'Proton' using 宝 bǎo 'treasure' and 腾 téng 'to soar', characters chosen for their favourable sense as well as their sound |
|---|---|
| Also written | PROTON, Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional and Proton Holdings Berhad |
| Owner | Geely Holding |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia |
| Origin | Malaysia |
| First car | Proton Saga, 1985 |
| Vehicles | Cars |
| Segment | Mass market |
| United States | Not sold in the United States — Proton does not sell in the United States and there is no record of official US sales. Its market is Malaysia and export markets in Southeast Asia and beyond. |
| Official site | www.proton.com |
| Ownership | 49.9% Geely Automobile Holdings, 50.1% DRB-HICOM Berhad |
| 2025 sales | 162,601 vehicles |
| Geely purchase | Agreed May 2017 with DRB-HICOM, completed October 2017; transferred to listed Geely Automobile Holdings in April 2023 for RMB 1,063 million plus US$56.39 million |
| First electric car | e.MAS 7, based on the Geely Galaxy E5 |
Who owns Proton?
DRB-HICOM Berhad owns Proton at 50.1%.
DRB-HICOM kept the majority when it sold 49.9% of Proton to the Geely side in 2017; the 50.1% is the residual of that sale as recorded in Geely Automobile Holdings' filings. The date DRB-HICOM first took control of Proton was not verified from a primary source here.
| Holder | What it is | Share | Since | What the source says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geely Holding | holds a stake in | 49.9% | October 2017 | Geely Holding completed the purchase of 49.9% of Proton Holdings Berhad in October 2017 under a May 2017 agreement with DRB-HICOM. On 20 January 2023 Geely International (Hong Kong) Limited agreed to sell that 49.9%, and DRB-HICOM Geely Sdn Bhd, to listed Geely Automobile Holdings for RMB 1,063 million plus US$56,390,000 for the shareholder loan; independent shareholders approved it on 28 April 2023 and it completed that month. Proton is accounted for as an associate, not a subsidiary. |
The full ownership page for Proton · Is Proton Chinese?
Proton models
| Model | Name in China | Body | Powertrain | Range | Price in China |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X50 | Geely Binyue | SUV | Petrol or diesel | not published | not published |
Where Proton is sold
Recorded in 1 market : Malaysia. Where a company publishes only its principal markets, that is a floor and not a complete list.
| Country | Code | Market page |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | MY | Chinese cars in Malaysia |
Proton: questions people ask
- Is Proton Chinese-owned?
- No, it is Chinese-invested. Geely holds 49.9% and the Malaysian conglomerate DRB-HICOM holds 50.1% and control. Geely accounts for Proton as an associate rather than a subsidiary.
- When did Geely buy into Proton?
- Geely Holding agreed the 49.9% purchase with DRB-HICOM in May 2017 and completed it in October 2017. The stake moved to the Hong Kong-listed Geely Automobile Holdings in April 2023.
- Are Protons rebadged Geelys?
- Some share Geely platforms and technology, but Proton designs, engineers and builds in Malaysia and keeps its own model names. Its first electric car, the e.MAS 7, is based on the Geely Galaxy E5.
Related
Sources for Proton
- Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (HKEXnews), Geely Automobile Holdings Limited, interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2025. Read . Proton listed as a 49.9% associate; e.MAS 7 based on the Geely Galaxy E5.
- Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (HKEXnews), Geely Automobile Holdings Limited Annual Report 2023. Read . The 2017 acquisition and the 2023 transfer to the listed company, with the consideration.
- Gasgoo, Geely Holding Group 2025 sales surpass 4.11 million, NEV penetration reaches 56%. Read .
- Wikipedia, Proton Holdings (article). Read . Finding aid for the 7 May 1983 establishment, the Shah Alam headquarters and the Proton City facilities.