The Proton X70 has been caught testing in
Karachi, Pakistan. According to CarSpiritPK.com, Proton’s Pakistani partner
Al-Haj Automotive is in the process of introducing a range of Proton vehicles,
and is already testing the Saga, which will be the first Proton model to be
introduced there.
Now it looks like the X70 is in the
distributor’s plans too, as camouflaged units have been spotted on the road.
The report says that Al-Haj has imported multiple units of the X70 from
Malaysia for trials ahead of an anticipated 2021 launch. The front grille
confirms that it’s the X70 and not the Geely Boyue that the Proton is based on.
The same website says that the Pakistan
market will receive the Proton X70 with a 1.5 litre turbo engine used by other
Geely and Volvo models, and not the 181 hp/300 Nm 1.8 litre turbo engine in our
CKD X70. The smaller 174 hp/255 Nm engine is a better fit there because of
Pakistan’s tax structure. Like our X70, the 1.5L engine will be paired to a
seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which replaces the previous conventional
six-speed auto.
In March 2019, Proton announced that it
will set up a local assembly plant in Pakistan, which will be owned and
operated by Al-Haj. The factory will be built at a greenfield site in Karachi
with an initial investment of US$ 30 million, and is expected to
commence operations before the end of this year. As part of the agreement,
Al-Haj will be the sole distributor for Proton vehicles in Pakistan.
In April 2019, Proton exchanged documents
with Al-Haj for a licensing and technical assistance agreement related to the
building of the Karachi factory. The ceremony was witnessed by prime minister
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad – who was then in Beijing for the Belt and Road forum –
and Geely chairman Li Shufu. Mahathir had also gifted a unit of the X70 to Pakistan
prime minister Imran Khan.