Proton identifies root cause of X90 fire incident; inspection required

KUALA LUMPUR: In August, a video of the Proton X90 catching fire went viral on social media, causing damage to the car's rear interior. This fueled rumours that the fire was caused by the vehicle's mild hybrid battery located at the rear. However, Proton addressed the issue with an official statement, clarifying that no explosion had resulted from the X90's battery.

To further address concerns and ensure safety, a team of product experts from Proton and Geely conducted a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the incident. The team found an issue related to the grounding connection of the vehicle's body. It can lead to “overheating at the connection area when a continuous large current passes through it and can result in a thermal incident due to its proximity to the soundproofing material.”

In order to rectify the issue, the automaker will contact all Proton X90 owners through its 3S/4S dealership outlets. Customers will be required to bring their vehicles for inspection and if necessary, the service centre will undertake corrective measures to eliminate any potential thermal risks.

To book an appointment, customers can call their nearest 3S/4S service centre or contact PROTON’s helpline at 1-800-88-8398 for more information. Furthermore, Proton and its suppliers have implemented preventive measures by enhancing supplier process control and inspections for components received on the X90 production line. 

The automaker also reaffirms that the mild hybrid battery employed in the vehicle is not linked to the incident and reiterates its commitment to prioritising product quality and customer safety above all else.

As a recap, Proton launched the X90 as its first hybrid car in May this year. The seven-seater SUV is being offered in four variants - Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship, priced between RM 123,800 and RM 152,800. All variants come powered by a 48V mild hybrid system, combining a 1.5-litre three-cylinder TGDI engine and a Belt Starter Generator.

Also read: Proton surpasses 100,000 YTD sales mark; Saga accounts for nearly 44%