View source for Proto Motors

{{Short description|South Korean automobile manufacturer}}
{{distinguish|Proton Holdings}}
{{Multiple issues|{{Update|date=September 2014|reason= Proto Motors was acquired by Oullim Motors, see also [[Oullim Spirra]].}}
{{notability|Companies|date=October 2017}}}}
{{Infobox company
| name        = Proto Motors
| native_name = 프로토자동차
| logo        = Proto Motors logo.png
| location    = [[South Korea]]
| products    = [[sports car]]s
| foundation  = 1997-2017(defunct)
2023-Present
}}

'''Proto Motors''' ({{langx|ko|프로토자동차}}) was a South Korean [[sports car]] manufacturer and coachbuilder.

== History ==
Proto Motors was established in 1997 by the couple Han-chul Kim and Ji-sun Choi.<ref name=":0" /> The company has forged partnerships with [[Hyundai Motor Company]], [[Kia Motors]], and [[GM Daewoo]]. In 2001, the company custom-made a convertible [[limousine]] for [[Cheongwadae]] (the Equus), the South Korean presidential residence.

Proto Motors introduced the [[Oullim Spirra|Spirra]] (a production model of PS-ll) at the 4th [[Seoul]] Motor Show. In 2006, Proto Motors was acquired by [[Oullim Spirra|Oullim Motors]]<ref name=":0" /> and the development of the Spirra was continued, and in 2010 Proto Motors introduced the first Korea-made [[supercar]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Supercar that eats 911s and Ferraris for Breakfast: Meet the Spirra EX #blogpost |url=https://www.carthrottle.com/post/wpyg6xj/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=Car Throttle |date=15 April 2016 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Proto Motors Develops Korea's First Supercar {{!}} Car News {{!}} Auto123 |url=https://www.auto123.com/en/news/proto-motors-develops-koreas-first-supercar/28837/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=auto123.com |date=11 May 2005 |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, the Oullim Motors Spirra EV, the electric version of the Spirra, was introduced.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Oullim: Yet Another All-Electric Supercar, This One From South Korea |url=http://news.yahoo.com/ouillim-yet-another-electric-supercar-one-south-korea-144526643.html |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=6 June 2014 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Previously, the company specialized in redesigning existing models by developing [[electric car]]s or [[convertible (car)|convertible]]s based on them. The company closed in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Proto Motors |url=https://www.cartefacts.com/brand/proto-motors |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=CARTEFACTS |language=en}}</ref>

==Models==
* [[RT-X]] (1998)
* [[PS-II]] (2000)
* [[Proto Spirra|Spirra]] (2007–2017)
* [[Kia Carnival|Kia Grand Carnival Limousine]] (2006–2017)
* [[SC24]] (2024–Present)

==See also==
{{Portal|Companies}}
* [[Automotive industry in South Korea|List of Korean car makers]]

== References ==
<references />
{{KAMA}}
{{Automotive industry in South Korea}}

[[Category:Car manufacturers of South Korea]]
[[Category:South Korean brands]]
[[Category:Sports car manufacturers]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1997]]
[[Category:Car brands]]
[[Category:Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers]]
[[Category:Contract vehicle manufacturers]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 2017]]


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