So, Proton’s been making moves again — this time, they’re eyeing Kazakhstan as a possible new home for assembling their battery electric vehicles (BEVs). According to local buzz and some official chatter, Malaysia’s first national carmaker is thinking about setting up shop to build its e.MAS series of electric rides in the heart of Central Asia.

Now, Proton’s no stranger to the EV game although still very new at it. They kicked off sales of their first BEV, the e.MAS 7, in Malaysia late last year. It’s based on Geely’s Galaxy E5 from China, and they’ve already started shipping it out to places like Nepal and Trinidad and Tobago. So, the wheels are definitely turning.

Recently, Proton folks flew out to Kazakhstan and sat down with Industry Minister Yersayin Nagaspayev. After the meeting, the Ministry of Industry shared that Proton laid out plans to bring the e.MAS brand to life in Kazakhstan. They talked shop about where to build, how to export, and making sure everything lines up with the Eurasian Economic Union’s standards.

Sounds promising, right? But here’s where it gets interesting — Proton and the Ministry are forming a joint working group to figure out how to localize production and maybe even co-invest in some projects. That’s a pretty solid step, but it does make you wonder: how sturdy is this whole setup?

Kazakhstan’s auto scene isn’t exactly sleepy. In 2024, they cranked out over 134,000 passenger cars, thanks to big names like GM-Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, JAC, and Jetour. Plus, two new plants are opening this year in Almaty and Kostanay. BEV sales are still warming up though — just 9,400 units sold as of May 2025.

So, Proton’s got a shot, but it’s not a slam dunk. Will they find the right footing in Kazakhstan’s growing but still-nascent EV market? That’s the part we’re curious about. The groundwork’s being laid, but whether it’s sturdy enough to build something lasting — well, that’s the story to watch.