After a serious bout of activity and publicity a couple of years ago, news from Detroit Electric, which was aiming to produce electric vehicles based on Proton’s Persona and GEN2 models, has pretty much gone quiet.
The company signed a supply and manufacturing agreement with Proton in March 2009, where it was to buy the Persona and GEN2, replace the CamPro engine with an electric motor drivetrain, and rebadge them as the Detroit Electric e63 and the e46 models. Later, it also inked a deal with Chinese automaker Dongfeng to use its battery-electric drivetrain technology for the latter’s models.
The e63 during the media introduction in September 2008.
Activity-wise, not much has been happening. Or perhaps there is – reader Kenneth Sow spotted an e63 in Subang Jaya yesterday, running a trade plate and with four passengers inside. The car was unmistakable, since it had bits and pieces of green stickers plastered all over it, along with the Detroit Electric logo pasted on the sides.
Sow reports that as the car was pulling off along NPE towards Subang, it was seen to be making small turns, as if testing out handling, and his observation of the car’s acceleration from 0-70kph (stop/go at traffic lights) was that it was excellent, despite carrying four people.
Which brings us to the question – is there something stirring in the mix, or is it merely a false alarm, it being the Proton boys doing an evaluation on the car as part of their EV studies?
Proton S70
from RM59,800 
Proton X90
from RM106,800 
Proton eMas 7 PHEV
from RM109,800 
Proton X70
from RM106,800 
Proton Saga
from RM38,990 
Proton eMas 5
from RM59,800 
Proton X50
from RM89,800 
Proton eMas 7
from RM103,800 
Gen2
on 
BlackBJQ
on 
BW
on 
Cucukman
on 
PRsamdol
on 
Irlan Norris Dato Hj Ishak
on 
Hameed Koyakuti
on 
ecofriendly
on 
akinablue
on 
Jebon Special
on 
Sambal Petai
on 
guruman
on 
12RAIXA
on 
KZM
on 
azrai
on 
riswanrahman
on 
apax
on 
eimsperfume
on 
exJAVANESE
on 
Wisdom
on 
aduss
on 
alldisc
on 
JustUpgrade
on 
mim
on 
DICKYBIRD
on 
Emmert
on 
bain
on 
linear_system
on 
mohsin
on 
lol
on 
MoFaz
on 
luffykewl
on 
bnjh
on 
comot
on 
leong khoi yat
on 
Jarum
on 
DonkeyKong
on 
hayden
on 
mr_3m_wancer
on 
feisal
on 
lmst
on 
mivec
on 
Peterpj
on 
meane
on 
dozzyy
on 
Darren Lee
on 
maman
on 
No name
on 
ria
on 
TIGER - Esso, Maybank, (deduct) Proton
on 
KJ
on 
Rizlan
on 
toyuta
on 
Whynot
on 
modesto_hann
on 
small car
on 
kenso
on 
transformer
on 
infinity
on 
Teratai Group
on 
oli
on 
kimi's fan
on 
justice
on 
Creative Mind
on 
SY0H
on 
lazyf
on 
Peminat Toyota
on 
jaya
on 
izack04
on 
buloss
on 
kerelbort
on 
econ
on 
sulaiman
on 
Wan
on 
muixmuix
on 
losantara
on 
Jacky
on 
Syeikh_Nasri
on 
makeitmine
on 
Citroën ds3
on 
newradicals3
on 
AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express optimism and curiosity about the Detroit Electric e63 and Proton's electric vehicle plans, highlighting the importance of EVs for the future and Malaysian energy sources. Some skeptics mention concerns about electric power’s environmental impact, infrastructure, and affordability, while others praise Proton's progress and potential for eco-friendly technology. Overall, sentiments are hopeful about Malaysia adopting electric cars despite doubts and challenges.