The Proton Exora's manufacture has ended as of yesterday, as evidenced by a photo taken at the company's Medium Volume Factory (MVF) and inscribed with the words "14 years, Last MPV Exora, #196583, 18/10/23," and TQ Proton. What a run for the first domestically produced MPV (the Juara and Perodua Rusa were vans with new labels).

The Exora was first introduced in April 2009 and was created under the pseudonym P6-20A. Its name was chosen through a public competition (not without controversy, to be sure). Therefore, after a run of 196,583 units, the MPV has endured a long 14 years and is now finally being discontinued. That is more than enough to consistently win Malaysia's sales championship for C-segment MPVs.





Over the course of its existence, the Exora has undergone innumerable revisions and modifications. The RM56,888 Standard MT from 2015 was its most affordable version, and the six-seater Exora Prime from 2011—which included captain seats 12 years before the X90!—had the highest price tag at RM88,998. The 2023 Exora is now sporting its third distinct set of Proton emblems and is priced between RM62,800 and RM69,800.

With the CamPro Charged Fuel Efficiency (CFE) engine that was first introduced in the Exora Bold in 2011, the Exora became the first Proton vehicle to come equipped with a turbocharged engine. The CamPro CPS engine that was initially launched was very underpowered for its significant weight. In connection with that, just last week witnessed the end of the CFE's protracted production run.

Due to the turbocharged engine's fuel-hungry nature and persistent oil cooler hose (OCH) problems, customers had a love/hate relationship with it. Although the latter was formally recalled in 2016, its issues lingered even as recently as 2022, despite numerous upgrades.




Happily, in 2013 the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) gave the Exora a four-star crash safety rating. The outcome was undoubtedly impressive for its time, and was generally viewed as a much more rigorous test than the regional ASEAN NCAP.

In 2010, the Exora also gave rise to Proton's Range Extender Electric prototype, and in 2015, the Pick-up Concept was built on the Lekiu SUV Concept's base. Even an Exora that can drive itself was displayed in Putrajaya in 2019. With Gentari using the MPV as a mobile EV charging van, the MPV is finally living up to its all-purpose moniker.

The Proton Exora has undoubtedly had a long and successful existence despite numerous ups and downs. Exora, please take a bow and enjoy your retirement—you deserve some downtime.