Proton Collaborates with Detroit Electric to Build EVs
Sunday, May 31st, 2009Proton will be engaging in the mass production of electric vehicles under the license of Detroit Electric. 
These cars will be sold in the markets of US, Europe, and China.
The electric vehicles will be branded under Detroit Electric and will be launched in Asia and in Europe in February 2010. They will be rolling out of the US market three to six months after.
Detroit Electric will be aiming for countries in Europe that excellent tax incentive programs for environment friendly vehicles. They have on their list Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, UK, and France. The EVs will be marketed in China through a local distributor tie-up.
The electric vehicles will be built based on the platform of the hatchback and saloon of Proton but will have styling changes to make them distinct from the range of the Malaysian manufacturer’s vehicles. Proton will also use the technology from the drive system of Detroit Electric and implement them on their own production of vehicles in southeast Asia.
The EVs will be powered by lithium ion battery packs and will not have a petrol system to back them up like the other cars from competing manufacturers. They are set to have a driving distance of 180 kilometers on a single charge.