BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – PAD Motors, the authorised distributor of PROTON cars in Brunei, proudly welcomed the arrival of the PROTON 10,000 sMILEs convoy as it crossed the border from Sabah, Malaysia, into Brunei Darussalam.
Organised in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, this landmark event represents a vibrant cultural and community outreach initiative.
The welcoming ceremony was hosted at the state-of-the-art ECON Motors 3S facility, drawing distinguished guests, members of the media, and passionate PROTON community members from across Brunei.
The expedition kicked off on May 16, 2026, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, under the tagline: “Bagi Senyum Bah, Senyum Sikit Mok Nangga“. More than just a road trip, this journey celebrates regional unity, cultural exploration, and deep community engagement through an immersive route across East Malaysia and Brunei.
Putting PROTON’s latest engineering to the test, three key models are leading the charge: the all-new Proton Saga, the Proton X50, and the upgraded 2026 Proton S70, which features the powerful new i-GT 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine.
The PROTON 10,000 sMILEs activation spans a grueling 5-round expedition, covering a combined distance of over 10,000 km across all participating vehicles. This ambitious trek is designed to showcase the cars’ absolute reliability and performance within local terrains.
“We are focused on enhancing our engagement with our PROTON community while navigating a real-world environment with our new models currently available in the market,” said Dato’ Ir. Abdul Rashid bin Musa, CEO of PROTON Edar Sdn Bhd.
The spirit of collaboration was echoed by Hambali bin Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd Salleh, managing partner of PAD Motors and ECON Motors. In his opening remarks, he warmly welcomed the Malaysian delegates and emphasised the power of automotive collaboration in bridging cultural differences and fostering deeper bonds across Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak.
The event was further elevated by the presence of its guest of honour, Datuk Mohd Aini Atan, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam.
The convoy of 10 Proton vehicles arrived at the ECON Motors showroom in the afternoon, having crossed into Brunei through the Labu immigration checkpoint just after 3pm. Upon arrival, the Malaysian delegation was greeted with open arms by the Proton Brunei team before driving into the capital for the official launch.
Embracing the spirit of tourism and cultural exchange, the visitors were treated to a captivating traditional Bruneian dance and cultural performance by Gentara, a renowned local dance group.
Beyond the thrill of the drive and the beauty of cultural exchange, the heart of the expedition lies in making a meaningful impact. In alignment with PROTON’s overarching tagline, “Inspiring Connections”, the Malaysian team and PROTON Brunei extended their community outreach to Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, a local charity home.
By supporting this cause, the convoy transformed a journey of kilometers into a journey of compassion, leaving behind a legacy of goodwill. With the first leg coming to a close from this monumental 5-round expedition, the team is set to drive toward Miri, continuing their mission to unite communities, one smile at a time.