Former Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah joins Great Wall Motor Malaysia
Roslan Abdullah has been appointed as the chief operating officer (COO) of Great Wall Motor Malaysia, marking a significant leadership addition to the Chinese carmaker’s local operations. The announcement follows Roslan’s recent departure from Proton, where he stepped down as deputy chief executive officer earlier this month.
Roslan brings with him nearly 30 years of experience in Malaysia’s automotive industry, having served in senior roles across Honda Malaysia, DRB-Hicom, and Proton. He joined Proton in June 2020 as vice president of sales and marketing and also held the role of CEO of Proton Edar, the company’s distribution arm. In January 2022, he was promoted to deputy CEO of Proton, playing a key role in driving the national carmaker’s recovery and growth in recent years. He also concurrently served as general manager at DRB-Hicom from 2019 to 2025.
Prior to Proton, Roslan held a seven-year tenure at Honda Malaysia, where he rose to the position of president and COO, overseeing one of the most successful periods for the brand in the local market.
In a statement, Roslan expressed optimism about his new chapter at GWM.
“GWM has all the right building blocks to shape the future of mobility in Malaysia. My vision is to position GWM as a trusted long-term mobility partner through a strong and reliable dealer and service network, a product portfolio that meets the needs of all Malaysians, and a firm commitment to delivering seamless ownership experiences.”
He added that GWM Malaysia’s goals are aligned with national aspirations.
“We are aligned with the government’s aspirations under the National Automotive Policy (NAP) and will continue to support Malaysia’s shift toward sustainable and intelligent transportation.”
Welcoming Roslan to the company, GWM Malaysia managing director Cui Anqi said:
“His leadership experience and strategic insight will be instrumental in strengthening our operations, reinforcing customer confidence and establishing GWM as a long-term player in Malaysia’s automotive landscape.”
Roslan’s appointment comes at a time when GWM Malaysia is actively expanding its product line-up, which currently includes models under the Haval, Ora, and Tank sub-brands. His deep industry experience and proven leadership will likely be key in accelerating the brand’s growth, especially in the electrification and SUV segments.
With Roslan now at the operational helm, GWM Malaysia aims to further cement its position in the competitive Malaysian market, with eyes on both short-term market share gains and long-term relevance in the era of electrified mobility.
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