KUALA LUMPUR: National automaker Proton Holdings Bhd has unveiled a new hi-tech engine assembly line at Tanjung Malim, Perak, that produces 180,000 engines on three shifts.

Operational since April this year, the facility produces the 1.5 Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI ) engine, assembled for the first time outside China,  and one of the most advanced automotive engine assembly lines in the country.

Located in Proton Tanjung Malim's Engine and Powertrain facility, the assembly line covers an area of 18,000 square metres and is also part of the RM1.8 billion earmarked by the company to upgrade its facilities at Tanjung Malim.

"Proton's new engine assembly line showcases the company's keeping its promises to its stakeholders.

"When the agreement was made to partner with Geely in 2017, one of our commitments was to financially invest in Malaysia's automotive industry and introduce new high-tech components.

"The new assembly line does this while also giving Proton an avenue to attract and develop young talents who will help drive the automotive industry and the company into the future," said deputy chief executive officer Roslan Abdullah in a statement today.

The three-cylinder 1.5 TGDI and its variants have thus far been used in over 750,000 vehicles sold globally.

As a locally assembled product, Proton sources parts from Malaysian and regional suppliers.

As for its new engine, there are currently 72 parts supplied by 19 Malaysian and four ASEAN vendors.

The company is also using the new assembly line to advance its human capital development goals, with 202 workers directly employed to work there.

The assembly line moves on a conveyor system that is smoother, cleaner, more durable, and less costly to operate than one that uses a chain.

It is housed in a climate-controlled, clean environment with an anti-static station to discharge static electricity to protect the high-tech electronic components it uses.

"Quality is the main priority at our new engine assembly line. We know we need to show Malaysians that Proton can build reliable, high-quality products, so we have left nothing to chance.

"Aside from the quality monitoring measures deployed on the assembly line, we also work closely with our counterparts at Geely to troubleshoot issues and share best practices to produce a world-class engine," added Roslan.