PROTON Holdings Berhad and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced yesterday that they are in serious discussion for strategic collaboration to further strengthen the competitiveness of both PROTON and MMC in the global marketplace. The collaborative items being considered between the two parties are set to cover areas and activities such as:
1. Joint production of engines in Malaysia
2. Consignment production of MMC-brand vehicles at PROTON facilities
3. Sharing of major parts and components between MMC’s “Global Small”, which is to be launched next March starting in Thailand, and PROTON’s upcoming “Global Small Car”.
4. Provision of MMC’s future technologies such as electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicle technology
The two companies had jointly proceeded with feasibility studies since late 2010 and have identified these areas of collaboration that could be expected to provide bothparties with the right synergy in the pursuit of global competitiveness.
Cooperation between PROTON and MMC, ever since PROTON’s inception as the country’s first car manufacturer and driver of the national automotive industry development has proven to be a long lasting business affiliation. The two companies had signed an agreement in December 2008 on the development and production of new vehicles at PROTON. Under a license agreement, PROTON currently produces ‘Inspira’, a four-door sedan model based on an MMC vehicle.
The latest discussion between the companies aims to provide yet another win-win relationship where MMC will be able to expand its presence in the ASEAN market while PROTON will be able to also expand its line-up and make effective use of its production facilities. A new strategic collaboration, supported by the growth of both companies since their first collaboration 26 years ago, is certainly a natural progression for both parties in taking their business relationship to a much more significant and impactful level in view of the ever competitive automotive landscape.
