KUALA LUMPUR: smart Malaysia and official importer and distributor Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (Pro-Net) aims to capture at least 10 per cent of local electric vehicle (EV) sales next year with the newly launched #1 model.
Pro-Net chief executive officer Zhang Qiang said that this would translate to a total sale around 800 to 1,000 units in 2024.
Zhang who considers 2023 to be a milestone year for both the EV industry and Proton said that this year's total industry volume (TIV) for EVs is reportedly at 10,000 units at press time.
Currently the company already has 500 bookings for the smart #1 since bookings for the model were open to the public in September.
Zhang said that 300 units are in stock and ready to be delivered as of launch. - the remaining 200 units are still making their way onto local shores.
Reportedly at least 60 per cent of orders were of the top end Brabus variant.
He added that the company estimates that 70 to 80 per cent of overall booking will come from their online platform as per their direction to be highly active digitally.
When asked of future models, the companies said that they are entirely focused on the smart #1 for now and have no plans yet to bring in other models.
It was also revealed during the press conference of the model's launch that all concerned parties have been involved in conducting a feasibility study for local assembly (completely-knocked down, CKD) plans since last year September as well as aspirations to export the model from Proton's Tanjung Malim plant.
However there is still no significant headway on either fronts with the companies citing that more study was needed before a commitment can be made.
Exporting in particular is a tricky point as the company said that a range of issues had to first be addressed before the company can even consider entering these markets.
This includes the need to study the requirements of our neighbouring countries when it comes to EV model specs as with any quotas for import on their end.
Still the companies do plan to explore other markets by mid-2024 while using Malaysia as their base of operations in the region.
They have also remained mum on the potential of a CKD EV by 2025, choosing not to comment at press time.
The smart #1 comes in three variants: Pro, Premium and Brabus. All running on 19-inch Dynamo alloy wheels.
Both Pro and Premium mostly differ in battery specifications while sharing the same design finishing.
The Brabus variant is a sportier take on the smart #1 and sits at the top of the line-up as the more premium-performance driven choice.
While it shares the same body physically as with its features, the Brabus variant diverges design-wise with the exclusive 'Brabus' interior and a combination mix of seven exterior colours.
Beyond looks the Brabus variant also gets a boost in performance.
The smart #1 Pro, Premium and Brabus is priced at RM189,000, RM219,000 and RM249,000 respectively.