Remember Proton? Well, the Malaysian automaker has confirmed it will return to South Africa later in 2022 after a decade-long hiatus. Here’s which models are coming first…

Proton is set to return to South Africa in September 2022, with the Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) Group having been appointed as the Malaysian brand’s local distributor.

Sales of Proton vehicles – over the years, the range includedthe Saga, Savvy, Satria Neo, Gen2, Persona and Arena bakkie – ceased in South Africa in 2012. But the company is heading back to local shores and says it’s “bullish about its sales prospects in South Africa”.

Having signed an agreement to appoint the CMH Group as its distributor in SA, Proton sales will recommence with the X50 and X70 in September, according to the company’s press site. The Saga saloon will follow thereafter.

The X50 is a subcompact crossover based on the Geely Binyue (Chinese firm Geely Holdings purchased a majority stake in Proton back in 2017). The X70, meanwhile, is positioned one segment higher, and is closely related to the Geely Boyue. Finally, the latest version of the Saga takes the form of a budget sedan. Engine options, specifications and local pricing will be revealed closer to the brand’s official relaunch.

The X70 is currently Proton’s largest crossover and is slated to arrive in SA in September 2022.

Proton says it is “projecting strong sales” in South Africa in the final few months of 2022, setting itself a target of “more than doubling” its volume in 2023. It says its total export sales from Malaysia in the first quarter of 2022 grew by 175% year on year, with that figure “expected to increase as the company takes aim at growing export sales by more than 300%” by the end of 2022.

In addition to its Malaysian operations, the automaker has knocked-down (KD) assembly facilities in Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh, with Sri Lanka set to join in the second half of 2022. Proton currently exports vehicles to 13 markets, with South Africa set to be the 14th.

“We are exploiting the strength of our new products, our brand and even the links Malaysia has with other countries to establish a foothold in many new markets. This is then bolstered by establishing KD operations where possible, which also helps to grow local economies,” said Steven Xu, Director of International Sales at Proton.

“Our new model range offers advanced features that are on par with many competitors from other brands and in many of our markets. The Proton X50 and Proton X70 sit near the top of their class in terms of specifications yet are sold at prices equivalent to or less than their direct rivals. This helps to draw in the upper echelon of local car buyers and helps build brand equity in these markets, making it easier for our other products to then be accepted in the future,” added Xu.

As a reminder, CMH commenced trading operations in 1976 following the merger of various retail motor dealerships in South Africa. In 1987, the holding company listed on the JSE.