The government has announced that the Proton S70 premium variant has been selected as the official taxi model under the National Madani Taxi Reform Programme.
The programme is a government initiative aimed at revitalizing Malaysia’s taxi industry. Launched by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Merdeka Square on the 3rd of July. It offers a makeover with LED digital signage and a new financing model that allows drivers to own their vehicles outright replacing the long-standing leasing system.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the sedan was chosen based on its safety features, passenger comfort and fuel efficiency, making it suitable for daily public transport use.
He said this was part of broader efforts to enhance the image and competitiveness of the taxi industry.
“The new taxis will feature a more modern look, without the traditional roof-mounted taxi topper, and will carry a special registration number series beginning with the letters ‘GET’,” he said.
To help increase drivers’ income, he said the ministry, in collaboration with the private sector, will introduce digital advertising screens inside taxi cabins as an additional revenue stream.
The S70 Taxi has several changes that differentiate it from existing taxis currently see on Malaysian roads. There is no taxi topper (the signboard on the taxi’s roof), which has been replaced by LED digital signage that is placed on the front and rear windscreens.
In addition, the government decided to retain the factory’s Ruby Red colourway for the S70 Taxi, a departure from the traditional red-white colourway. It also features a red-on-white GET JPJePlate (rather than the usual black-on-white H plate). The JPJePlate was previously reserved only for zero-emission vehicles such as battery-powered EVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. However, the version on the S70 Taxi has a grey colour code on the left side of the plate together with red lettering.
Inside, there is a screen below the dashboard that functions both as a digital taximeter and as an advertisement display (an income source as mentioned above). Under the centre console sits a small receipt printer.
To motivate the taxi community to migrate to these new machines, the Prime Minister announced a new RM10 million matching grant (up to RM2k from Proton + up to RM2k from the government = up to RM4k trade-in support). On top of that, taxi drivers get easy financing solutions that ensure the ownership stays with the driver, priority will be given to taxis for vehicle inspections, and they can be used for personal purposes.
The chery on the cake? The cars will be offered without excise and sales tax, and will be priced in the region of RM64,500 on-the-road without insurance. By comparison, the retail price of the S70 Premium is RM74,800, inclusive of a RM5,000 launch rebate.
