Further details have emerged regarding DRB-HICOM and Proton's plans to explore opportunities in India's automotive industry, following discussions involving Malaysian automotive players and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has supported the companies' efforts, including the potential use of the group's Tanjung Malim manufacturing facilities in Perak to supply components or establish partnerships with Indian automotive companies.

Johari said DRB-HICOM was exploring ways to use its manufacturing and automotive capabilities in Malaysia to participate in the Indian market through component supply, technology and engineering cooperation, or joint ventures with local industry players.

"I believe DRB-HICOM has just started to explore this," he told the media sources following the conclusion of the 18th BRICS summit here on September 13th.

"As the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, I would certainly give full support to DRB-HICOM to explore its capacity in Tanjung Malim as one of the plants that can be directly involved in its efforts to participate in the automotive industry in India," the minister said.

The move comes as Malaysia seeks to expand industrial cooperation with India and encourage Malaysian companies to enter the country's consumer and automotive markets. Johari said the opportunity should not be viewed solely as an attempt to export finished vehicles but as a broader industrial strategy involving automotive components, manufacturing, technology and potential partnerships with Indian companies.

The Tanjung Malim complex includes manufacturing and technology facilities, with Proton having consolidated its manufacturing and R&D operations there. Its powertrain facility produces engines, transmissions and electric drive units for current and future vehicles.

Johari said DRB-HICOM could potentially use these capabilities to develop partnerships with Indian automotive companies and participate in the country's automotive supply chain.

"There is a lot of work in progress for Proton to emerge as a player in India's automotive market," he said.

The latest exploration follows previous assessments by Proton of opportunities in India, although the company has not established a commercial manufacturing or sales presence there. During the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said DRB-HICOM and potential Indian industry partners had discussed opportunities.

However, no decision has been announced regarding a local plant, distributor, vehicle line-up or launch timetable.

India's market size is also a factor in the companies' consideration.

According to a market research firm, passenger-vehicle registrations increased by 15.4% year-on-year in July 2026, with SUVs accounting for a significant share of demand.

For Proton, India could provide an opportunity to expand its international operations as the company develops its export business and electric and next-generation vehicles. Proton recorded its highest export volume since 2012 in 2025, while sales continued into 2026.

In the first eight months of the year, Proton's sales increased by about 40% year-on-year, with electrified models contributing to sales. In August alone, Proton recorded its highest monthly sales performance since January 2010.

Johari said Malaysia's broader objective was to use India's market to increase two-way trade rather than simply increase Malaysian exports. His comments followed discussions with India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Malaysia's trade surplus with India and the need to expand two-way trade.

Johari said both countries were looking at ways to revise their trade framework, including potentially finalising or revising the existing free trade agreement within the next three to six months.

He said India's population of about 1.4 billion to 1.5 billion provided Malaysian companies with a substantial potential market, while partnerships with Indian companies could allow Malaysian businesses to participate in the country's domestic economy.

"As a small nation, we want to see how we can work together with India, which has a huge population, and create a win-win situation between both nations instead of a one-way relationship," he said.

For DRB-HICOM, the strategy could extend beyond Proton-branded vehicles to components, engineering, manufacturing, technology and mobility solutions, providing potential areas for participation in India's automotive value chain.

The exploration also comes as DRB-HICOM develops Tanjung Malim as an automotive and next-generation vehicle hub. The group has been positioning the Automotive High-Tech Valley as an ecosystem encompassing R&D, manufacturing, logistics and supporting automotive services.

Johari said the government would support efforts by Malaysian companies to use domestic industrial capabilities to participate in overseas markets.

"We cannot only trade with one or two countries. We want to trade with all countries, especially those with huge populations," he said.