SINGAPORE, Sept. 12 -- Malaysia's national carmaker Proton is re-entering the republic after 11 years with the local launch of its first electric SUV next week.

The mid-sized e.Mas 7, already a hit in Malaysia, will headline the comeback and be delivered to the first eight Singapore customers through distributor Vincar Group at its new Leng Kee Road showroom, The Straits Times reported.

Proton withdrew from Singapore in 2014 after its subsidiary sold the final four cars, but it is now returning with a new generation of electric vehicles developed with Chinese partner Geely.

The e.Mas 7 will lead Proton's EV push, followed by the smaller e.Mas 5 which is expected to arrive in Singapore by 2026.

Chief executive officer Li Chunrong said ...