PETALING JAYA – Proton Holdings Bhd has clarified that a fire in a Proton X90 was not due to an explosion of its 48V mild hybrid battery.
“We would also like to clarify there was no explosion caused by the Proton X90’s mild hybrid (48V) battery,” the national carmaker said in a statement.
Proton was responding to a video circulating on social media allegedly showing a brand new X90 on fire.
Thick smoke is seen at the rear of the SUV in the three-minute, 11-second video, with some claiming the hybrid battery exploded.
The video also showed a man attempting to put out the fire on the car’s bonnet using a fire extinguisher.
“We are fully aware of the incident, and the vehicle is currently under our possession. Our team is conducting a diligent investigation and will work closely with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
“We would also like to clarify there was no explosion caused by the SUV’s mild hybrid (48V) battery. We understand the concerns of the public and kindly request cooperation to refrain from engaging in speculative discussions and would like to emphasize investigations are still ongoing.
“At Proton, the quality and safety of our products is our top priority, and we would like to reassure users of all Proton models their vehicles are developed to meet the highest standards with each unit undergoing stringent quality and safety inspections prior to being delivered to our valued customers,” the full statement reads. – The Vibes, August 23, 2023