With more than 760 sales engagements, and over 200 owners and their families signal accelerating EV adoption in Northern Malaysia.
PENANG, 6 May 2026 - PRO-NET, a subsidiary of national carmaker PROTON and Malaysia’s No. 1 EV brand, reinforced its growing presence in Northern Malaysia at the MARii-organised Penang Autoshow 2026, driven by strong commercial and community. The event was graced by the Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow, and attended by the CEO of MARii, Azrul Reza Aziz, as well as PROTON Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa.
Across the three-day event, Proton e.MAS recorded over 760 sales engagements, comprising test drives, leads, and bookings, reflecting increasing consumer acceptance and confidence in electric mobility in Malaysia’s northern region.
Malaysia’s First Large-Scale Owner-Led EV Convoy Across Penang Bridge
A defining highlight of the weekend was a coordinated owner-led convoy involving 30 Proton e.MAS vehicles, comprising the e.MAS 5, e.MAS 7, and e.MAS 7 PHEV. Owners journeyed from Juru and drove across the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (Penang Second Bridge) before arriving at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC).
More than just a visual showcase, the convoy marked the first time a national EV brand has mobilised an owner-driven fleet of this scale across the bridge, demonstrating growing real-world confidence in EV ownership. This proves that EVs are capable not only for daily commutes, but for longer intercity drives.
The convoy brought together over 80 Proton e.MAS owners alongside their families, forming a turnout of more than 200 people, created a strong and visible statement of the brand’s expanding presence and community in Northern Malaysia.
Strong Conversion Signals Growing Consumer Confidence
Throughout the auto show, Proton e.MAS saw encouraging on-ground engagement, with test drives translating into bookings at a strong rate, supported by a healthy pipeline of qualified leads. This reflects a growing shift among Malaysian consumers from initial curiosity to actual commitment towards EV ownership.
The Proton e.MAS 5 emerged as a key contributor, alongside continued interest in the Proton e.MAS 7 and the newly introduced Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV, indicating that Malaysians are increasingly open to different electrification pathways depending on their lifestyle needs.
The introduction of the Proton e.MAS 5 in its new Jade Green colour, alongside the Proton e.MAS 7 PHEV in Emerald Green further sparked strong interest among visitors, adding a fresh and distinctive appeal to the line-up.
From Ownership to Community
Beyond commercial performance, the event further demonstrated how EV ownership is evolving into a shared experience. The strong participation from owners and their families underscores the growing presence of Proton e.MAS in the Northern region, particularly in Penang, which accounts for a 64.2% EV market share year-to-date, and highlights a growing sense of connection and confidence within the Proton e.MAS ecosystem.
“What we are seeing in Penang is a clear shift in behaviour. More Malaysians are not just exploring EVs — they are making the decision to own one. At the same time, the strong turnout from our owners shows that this is no longer just about products, but about building a community and an ecosystem that supports them throughout their journey,” said Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer of PRO-NET.
Technology Awareness Driving Confidence
Visitors and owners were also introduced to Proton e.MAS’ Global Modular Architecture (GMA) platform during its first Northern Region showcase, highlighting the modular, safety-focused and future-ready foundation underpinning the brand’s electrified vehicles.
Northern region dealerships supported the activation with a strong on-ground presence throughout the duration of the auto show, enabling deeper engagement and helping customers better understand the technology behind their vehicles, further strengthening trust and confidence.
As Proton e.MAS continues to grow its EV community, current and future owners are encouraged to stay connected and join the official Proton e.MAS Community Facebook Group.
Proton e.MAS Golden Roadshow Heads Next to Melaka & Johor
For more Malaysians to get behind the wheel of the Proton e.MAS line-up and experience electrified mobility firsthand, the ongoing Proton e.MAS Golden Roadshow continues its nationwide showcase, with upcoming stops in the Southern and East Coast regions:
Melaka
- AEON Melaka from 19 - 24 May
Pahang
- East Coast Mall, Pahang from 24 - 28 June
To locate the nearest authorised showroom, or to know more about the Proton e.MAS Golden Roadshows, visit the official website or follow Proton e.MAS on Facebook (Proton e.MAS Cars), Xiaohongshu (Proton e.MAS Cars), TikTok (@protonemasofficial), and Instagram (@protonemasofficial).
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