KUALA LUMPUR: The prices for National carmaker Proton's highly anticipated sport utility vehicle (SUV), Proton X70 have finally been announced and start at just shy of RM100,000.

The Standard 2WD (two-wheel drive) is priced at RM99,800; RM109,800 (Executive 2WD); RM115,800 (Executive AWD - all-wheel drive); and RM123,800 (Premium 2WD).

All prices are on the road, without insurance.

In an industry first, the prices are the same in all states including Sabah and Sarawak.

The prices were announced during the X70 official launch by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Wednesday (Dec 12) night.

Dr Mahathir, in his speech, said he hopes the collaboration between Proton Holdings Bhd and Zhejiang Geely Holdings Group (Proton-Geely) collaboration will produce a truly Malaysian car in the future.

Since teaming up with Geely, Proton has made progress including the launch of its first sport utility vehicle, the X70.

"Of course this car is not designed and built by Proton entirely but in order to be fast on the road, you have to cut corners," he said, reports Bernama.

Present was Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Darell Leiking and Proton Chief Executive Officer Dr Li Chunrong.

However, Dr Mahathir said Proton should continue to make progress and participate in developing new models.

This is the most anticipated SUV in Malaysian automotive history, with over 10,000 bookings received as at end-October 2018.

The model is the first collaboration between Proton and Chinese automaker Geely.