X Marks Starting Point in Vote on New Proton’s Name

Malaysians are voting on a name for the first Proton SUV.

The national automaker is offering four voting options online: X7, PX7, X70 and X700. Malaysians can come up with another name if those four don’t resonate.

Local automotive journalist Paul Tan says one of Proton’s selections could face legal trouble from Europe, as BMW already has announced the X7 name for its ultra-luxurious range-topping SUV.

Proton’s SUV is to be based on Geely’s Boyue SUV already being sold in China. It’s due in showrooms by the end of the year.

Voting for the Proton SUV name began April 2 and runs until April 30.

The vote is open to all Malaysian citizens possessing a valid identity card and there is no restriction on the number of times a person can vote. The rules require a rationale for the name voters select.

All voters will be eligible for a draw to win one of 3,720 cash vouchers – with values ranging from 10 ringgit to 168 ringgit ($2.59 to $43.45) – that can be used toward a car purchase or after-sales service and merchandise items.

Five who pick the winning name will win a VIP experience including attending the launch of the SUV and a test drive and driving demonstration session at Proton’s test track.

One winner will get a four-day Hangzhou/Shanghai China tour package including a visit to Geely headquarters for two people valued at MYR10,000 ($2,586).

Proton says entries offering alternative names or rationales that portray or include inappropriate and/or offensive content, including profanity, violence, human rights and environmental violation, as well as any other content deemed to be contrary to the law, religious, cultural and moral traditions and practices of Malaysian culture will be discarded.