Proton has entered talks with a few companies in Japan and Europe to produce a production version of the Proton Emas Concept which was unveiled by Proton and Italdesign-Giugiaro earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show 2010. The discussions are expected to be concluded by the end of this year.
“There were discussions in terms of technology, platforms and how we can work with others to source engines to us. The current trend is to come up with cars, including those using hybrid technology, that are fuel-efficient and produce low amounts of carbon emission. As Proton is a competitive company, we will take on this concept and make it a reality,” said Proton managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
Proton will be targeting the South-East Asian market as well as the Indian market with the new Proton EMAS. As the EMAS is a small and compact car, it should hit all the right criteria to be positioned favorably in India’s car tax system which takes into account car dimensions.
It was also revealed earlier this year that Lotus would be developing its own version of the EMAS, and a Lotus concept car based on the EMAS called the Lotus City Car Concept was displayed at the Paris Motor Show earlier this month. The Lotus version of the car would have a more premium and sportier positioning, and be equipped with more powerful engines.
Nicky Hayden was in KLCC this evening to launch the new Tissot 2010 T-Race Nicky Hayden Limited Edition, a special edition numbered watch that integrates Nicky’s colours and race number 69 on the case back with his lucky star emblem. The metal elements on the case was modeled to look like GP bike brakes.
