Perusahan Otomobil Nasional Berhad (PROTON) was incorporated in May 7, 1983 to manufacture, assemble and sell motor vehicles and related products, including accessories, spare parts and other components. PROTON produced Malaysia's first car, the Proton Saga, commercially launched on July 9, 1985 by then Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Mahathir Mohamed, who had originally conceived the idea of a Malaysian car.

Its model line-up includes the Waja, Satria GTi, Wira, Iswara, Arena, Perdana V6 and Juara. The range of 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines satisfies a wide spectrum of customers both locally and abroad. PROTON's main plant in Shah Alam, with an area of 923 900 sq metres, was originally designed for a capacity of 80 000 units per year. In 1997, capacity increased to 230 000 units per year with the construction of the Medium Volume Factory, which is next to the Main Plant. Today, the Shah Alam factory is capable of producing 240 000 vehicles per year.

Besides being shareholders, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation are also PROTON's technical assistance partner and component supplier. PROTON has a total of 11 subsidiaries and 11 associate companies, which are involved in manufacturing, research and development, sales and service activities.

December 30, 1996, marked the launch of the Proton Putra, a two-door coupe, as well the production of our millionth car from the Shah Alam plant. PROTON made a major step in upgrading its engineering capabilities with the acquisition of Lotus Group International Limited, a British automotive engineering company and manufacturer of luxury sports cars in October 1996. Together, PROTON and Lotus offer large scale manufacturing capabilities with world-class engineering expertise.

PROTON cars are making their mark internationally as competitive and innovative automobiles. They are now being exported to 50 countries including the highly competitive United Kingdom and continental European markets. With concerted and unswerving commitment from customers, business associates, shareholders, government agencies, and employees, PROTON is realising its goal of being an internationally successful Malaysian automotive manufacturer. It is achieving this by being customer oriented and by producing competitively priced and innovative products. Thus, it is contributing to Malaysia's attainment of Vision 2020.

With solid base built up over the last 10 years, Malaysia's car manufacturing industry is progressing vigorously. Below are important events that led to the incorporation of Perusahan Otomobil Nasional Berhad (PROTON) and its achievements.

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