Geely Galaxy E5 convoy spotted in Penang: Why are they here?

A video has made its way into numerous WhatsApp groups that belong to local EV enthusiasts. Captured this afternoon, the dash cam clip showed a group of Geely Galaxy E5 electric SUVs on the roadside in Penang.

When the video arrived in our hands, it had been forwarded so many times and we were not able to trace its origin. Hence, we don’t have any information regarding the original source of the video although we believe that it was captured in Seberang Jaya, Penang given the appearance of the famed Kim Hee Chinese Restaurant in the video.

How do we know that they are Galaxy E5 and not e.MAS 7?

Given their similarities, one could easily misidentify the vehicles in the convoy as Galaxy E5’s twin, the Proton e.MAS 7 which came from the same development project.

The low-resolution nature of the video made it hard for us to identify the badge on the rear part of the vehicle. We also noticed that there were some decals on their doors but we couldn’t determine the details as well.

Nevertheless, we are certain that these vehicles are Galaxy E5 since they carry Chinese number plates. These plates are also colour-coded in gradient green to indicate that they are New Energy Vehicles.

Another why we don’t think that they were Proton e.MAS 7 is because the EV is still going through testing. As far as we know, all of the e.MAS 7 Proton test units that the national automaker drives in public are still heavily camouflaged.

Proton e.MAS social pages reveal the answer, although…

In the evening, the official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok of Proton e.MAS has confirmed our curiosity. A group of Galaxy E5 has indeed embarked on a long test drive from China to Malaysia:  

Aside from taking the opportunity for a friendly visit while performing the extremely long test drive, we are not sure what’s the ultimate purpose of Galaxy E5’s appearance in Malaysia. This is especially given how Proton consistently said that the e.MAS 7 is not a rebadge of Galaxy E5 and having both EVs in the same room seemed a little bit…awkward.

A reciprocal visit to the 2019 Proton X70 Malaysia-China trip?

That being said, Galaxy E5’s journey from China to Malaysia reminded us of something that took place a few years ago. In February 2019, a group of Proton X70 owners made an epic 13,000km journey from Proton CoE to Geely’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China, and back.

While it was a private initiative, the trip which took 33 days to be completed was supported by Proton who had just launched the X70 a few months prior. Perhaps, maybe Galaxy E5’s journey to Malaysia was a reciprocal visit but all in all, we shall find out tomorrow why e.MAS 7’s twin made its way here.