Launched in Malaysia in November this year, the Proton Saga MC3 is the first to use the Advanced Modular Architecture (AMA) platform, and is known internally as the AMA01.
Through a presentation slide shown on the Autocar Philippines Facebook page, the model labelled AMA01 is to be positioned against rivals Mitsubishi Mirage and the Toyota Vios. Pitched with dynamic styling and stable handling as key attributes, the AMA01-based Geely model is set for its Philippines market debut in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Though the Philippines is a left-hand-drive market and the Proton Saga MC3, as the first on this platform, is right-hand-drive, the AMA platform was designed from the outset to be fit for converting to left-hand drive. Proton has stated that Proton models built on this platform will be rebadged as Geely models for selected markets. Here, it would appear that the Philippines is one such market.
The reason for doing so is that Geely does not have models which are smaller, more compact and more affordable than those which Proton currently sells – these being the X and S series models – and future AMA models built from this platform will be “new-gen affordable and practical global cars”, which in Malaysia are intended to replace the Persona, Iriz, Exora and old Saga.
Beyond the AMA01/Proton Saga MC3, other models from the list include the P145 (Geely Starray EM-i/Galaxy Starship 7, or Proton eMas 7 PHEV in Malaysia), E22H (Geely Xingyuan/Star Wish, or Proton eMas 5 in Malaysia), and the P155, which is said to be the Geely Monjaro or Xingyue L.
GALLERY: 2026 Proton Saga 1.5 Premium CVT MC3
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Philippines does not have protection barriers for local assemblers so its a open market unlike ours
The Saga 1.5iGT is high in safety spec, performance and value added compared to the Mitsubishi Mirage Mivec, hence it’s now going to face the Vios and City 1.5 CVT.
Congratulations to Proton.
Rival Toyota Vios. LMAO!
So much for growing the Proton branding….
China frauds
Exactly. Why is gomen protecting local auto industry again? Proton is arguably barely local made anymore.
kudos will becomes 2026 asean best selling sub compact sedan of all time
This is what we hv been waiting for.. way to go boys!.. you got to work harder. Be responsive and cost conscious. This is best opportunity for proton and it’s supply chain to enter Geely line of marketing. Don’t waste this opportunity.
Within ASEAN why need to rebadge as Geely? it’s not about being trusted by Geely to be their line up model, more on brand recognition for that country..like Myvi, perodua been rebadge as daihatsu sirion because of daihatsu brand more popular..same goes to Proton, geely more popular in indonesia. Worse part geely have their own CKD plant in indonesia not to utilize the proton plant…since philippine demanding to have cheap sedan..geely don’t have other option instead of using proton saga..
Good job all, good planning and thinking. But only selected markets? Not good enough for China?
They don’t want to sell Geely 传奇
Chuánqí? Come on.. if Emgrand selling at 45k equivalent of ringgit over there, surely Geely
传奇
Chuánqí can do at 38k, right?
Surely some housewives.. or female college students or fresh grad girls need a small car to use, easy to drive and to park.
At least 50k Saga 4th gen for export in 3 years.
punch cvt and 4-speed auto is only suitable for developing markets. china customers are more demanding they wont accept such poor quality and low spec cars.
Still made in cina
long ago proton waja dreamt of competing against bmw.
today again they are dreaming of comparing saga against toyota vios.
they never learnt from history
The AMA01 is highly competitive for the Philippine ride-hailing (Grab) market and first-time car buyers.
Compete with what?? I guess it all starts with a dream….
Atleast saga having slightly better rear headroom, sparetyre and detachable backseat and ultimately half the price.
Proton being deceived by Geely in bright daylight…