Tie-up with Suzuki can revive Proton, says Mustapa

Proton Suzuki MOU_ 004

Following Proton chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s expression of confidence in the Proton-Suzuki partnership, Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed is optimistic that the collaboration will turn things around for the national carmaker, Bernama reports.

Suzuki has wide experience in India where it dominates the compact car market,” he told reporters, adding that Proton, which has never done R&D on compact (city) cars, could benefit from Suzuki’s expertise.

proton-alto (1)

“As part of the National Automotive Policy (NAP) we have suggested that it is good for Proton to identify a strategic foreign partner. It is my wish that (Suzuki) is a partner that will be able to propel Proton to greater heights,” the MITI minister said at the signing ceremony.

On Monday, Proton and Suzuki signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Licence Agreement that could see Proton’s first A-segment car starting production in the next 16 months, aided by access to Suzuki’s models, platforms, powertrain and automotive technology.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Anonymous on Jun 18, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Tied up will revive? I don’t think so.
    Improve your build quality? May be.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 46 Thumb down 4
    • I’d rather Proton just rebadge cars for the remainder of its existence.
      It’s OK, no need to be ashamed.
      Proton shouldn’t stress themselves to R&D and put unnecessary financial burden on the company, and then the go’ment and then the people.
      The Wira was great. The Eterna/Perdana was fantastic. I’m happy with the Inspira. The Accord/Perdana looks absolutely fine. The upcoming Proton Alto, will also be fine.
      Afterall we’ll get a cheaper car with expertise and technologies from proven established manufacturers.
      So it’s OK to rebadge. Keep it going Proton.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 62 Thumb down 12
      • Beng P1boy on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:44 pm

        So true Proton are good with rebadge, Not like P2 just changing bumper and interior as their own new car…

        Proton will be a great brand thanks to Tun DrM, P2 macai just lose of words !!!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 24
        • Eh Bang, at least they did something when they rebadge rather than just putting their logo on it.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 7
          • Beng P1boy on Jun 18, 2015 at 9:52 pm

            Same as doing nothing buy sell it expensive… P2 the worst car brand in history, Cronies company that cheat Rakyat money.

            Proton another hand help Rakyat own cheap car if NOT kampung still riding bicycle !!!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 16
          • karam singh on Jun 19, 2015 at 4:02 am

            which P2 car got stability control(VSC/VSA/TC) ?
            None. P2 more rubbish than Proton in term of safety.
            Our family lifes at stake driving P2.
            P2=Toyota, selfish greedy
            ‘build people’s car? haha it need to change, build people’s Coffin.
            sounds better.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 10
          • Ah Beng (Member) on Jun 19, 2015 at 8:55 am

            I don’t understand why those silly kiasu and basher still staying Proton got protection from the govt?? The protection was dead long time ago after the end of Tun M era as PM. Proton need to survive after days receive bias judgement from TV3 and the govt planning to stop buying Teks1M. Can’t you imagine how many vendors will suffer??

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 15
          • Add-A-Comment on Jun 19, 2015 at 11:19 am

            Damn funny when u see stupid Proton Supporters comment without even using their brain…ohh…do they have one?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 2
        • Albert Sam on Jun 19, 2015 at 1:02 am

          Perodua produce national rubbish, everybody happy.
          Proton produce no spirit national car, everybody criticise.
          This is why Malaysian so stupid can’t build a car and don’t know how to choose a car.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 12
          • Sam Beng on Jun 19, 2015 at 1:01 pm

            “Proton produce no spirit national car”

            What do you mean?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
          • Albert Sam on Jun 19, 2015 at 4:09 pm

            A car without Malaysian spirit, no one proud of it.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Gargantia on Jun 18, 2015 at 9:56 pm

        And some says PROTON totally own by DRB-Hicom and not Govt anymore…

        Why MITI minister come and speak for Proton?

        Cronies boss and his Cronies buddies that still exist in Govt department.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 3
    • TopsyBoXyTurvy on Jun 18, 2015 at 8:35 pm

      Tied up with vw will sure propel u to greater heights, proton.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
  • Wow, even our “trick minister” mustafa are over excited on suzuki partnership than lower the car price as promise by BN during PRU….cronies tetap cronies!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 13
    • Nazgul on Jun 19, 2015 at 1:10 am

      Do you trust them in the first place that the car prices will come down if they win? Instead of whining about car prices why don’t we let P1 and P2 fighting each other.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Karma is real on Jun 19, 2015 at 8:50 am

      Stupid Proton. They cannot compete in RM70K+ above car price (rejected by car buyers), now going down blaming Perodua and squeeze itself in A-segment price.

      Those Proton goons spit on Perodua for rebadging Daihatsu now go lick your own vomit by rebadging Suzuki. What a pathetic hyprocrites!

      As for financial year result, how many RM billions loss by Proton? Still bleeding for Lotus? Still begging for MITI RM2 billion?

      Proton only got itself to blame for this 30 years of failure. 30 years and RM billions wasted later only to come back rebadging others car again. That’s Karma for you Proton. You make us rakyat suffer 30 years insane car tax and now it’s our turn to see you suffer huge billions loss debts. Sama-sama lah kita mati.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 4
      • loler on Jun 19, 2015 at 2:42 pm

        OK for next comment let’s compare prices between US and bolehland, lol

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • Tie ups with Mitsu,Honda and now Suzuki. Left with Nissan, Subaru and Toyota which will complete the jap list.

    After that they might look at South Korea and then China.

    Wonder how Proton is going to help Indonesia to built their National Car when they cant sort out a proper car in their home ground.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 12
  • Where is your face Proton? Tying up with company that mainly built for lower class market like India.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 22
    • belld on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      So what, you dun see VW in India?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 3
    • KRS189 on Jun 18, 2015 at 10:14 pm

      Suzuki world Wide saLes 3 million cars, Daihatsu 1million cars… and yet dare to say Perodua better?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
      • 3 mil cars? You baca betul-betul. 3mil cars ke? 3mil cars + motorsikal?

        Nak tipu pun agak-agak la.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
        • Gargantia on Jun 19, 2015 at 10:22 am

          If not thanks to AP system and high taxes P2 car had all been to dustbin.

          Still need to thanks Tun himself for the arrogant support of AP system, whole Rakyat suffer !!!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Al Gorilla on Jun 18, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    Proton are no longer owned by the government so they are NOT the national carmaker. Supposedly, anyways

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
  • wiwiwiwiw on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    Revive cronies $$$

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 3
  • Zoom Zoom on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    Talk is always easy..Lol. You have Lotus technology, higher spec & lower price than your competitors also can’t sell. You think you can revive with Suzuki?? Look at Suzuki monthly sales now.. Conclusion.. Kaput Means Kaput!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 5
  • Leafable on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:10 pm

    Suzuki only good on 2 wheels.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 7
  • I think PROTON should make a directive that only the top management can talk to media about the operation of PROTON. Or else will make jokes again and reported in the media. Remember the BMW Volvo issue?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • unforgiven on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:44 pm

    If Proton untung then who rigi?
    Who will ended paying high prices for cars?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • xiper (Member) on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    At first said Preve will change Proton, after that said Iriz will be the game changer. And now Suzuki?

    Might as well just quit the game, this game is not suitable for you to play.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 6
    • Albert on Jun 18, 2015 at 7:54 pm

      Xiper bradder, you are 3000 percent correct.
      Look at Perodua. They started later than Proton.Both given perlindungan.But look how far ahead Perodua has gone.
      2015 sales prediction
      Perodua 205,000 units
      Proton 65000 units
      Honda 80,000 units
      Toyota 70,000 units
      Suzuki will give Proton an engine and gearbox that will be 3 generations old.The Japs are NOT BODOH and LAZY.They are world class.But when they marry a BOLEHLAND MENTALITY, mediocrity is the outcome.
      It is GAME OVER for Proton.They boast Iriz,preve and SUBPRIMA will be world beaters and game changers.Shambolic bodoh shithole predictions with no substance.
      Suzuki will have to say SAYORNARA very soon into this disastrous divorce.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 10
      • LameSuzuki on Jun 18, 2015 at 8:23 pm

        Suzuki is another pucked up car… High fuel consumption car… Nak deal pun, deal la dgn honda, toyota or mazda… Kasian betul proton ni.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 8
        • xiper (Member) on Jun 19, 2015 at 1:02 am

          Honda and Toyota sales overtook Proton, no need to collaborate already beat them lol

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
          • Of course p2 got more sales, A and B segenter, p1 where got A segmenter. Even older Saga is more expensive than Kancil.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
        • alldisc on Jun 19, 2015 at 9:03 am

          toyota kalau nak JV dgn proton, sejak thn 1985 lagi.

          they dont want

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • DPCraft on Jun 18, 2015 at 10:27 pm

      Proton is already “hacking in game($)” but still falling out of the game even thou they have 3 game changer used.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Mc Kangkung on Jun 18, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Eh? I thought Proton claimed to be as good as BMW and other continental cars, right?…

    How came now proton stooped so low down and needed Suzuki as a health line???

    The menteri syoik sendiri? Lying through his teeth? Or simply dont know fact at all….

    If menteri quality is like that, Not just proton will go down…..the whole malaysia can go down seh…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 8
    • SakingProton on Jun 18, 2015 at 8:17 pm

      Proton should close shop… No safety, low quality, paking pricey maintenance, always need to repair something, parts get spolit very often and so oftten..pleade close proton and oni built foreign cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 10
      • p2 and Toyota should close shop. Moving coffin is more much much dangerous.

        And BMW? Sigh. Go back to school and learn to read again.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 6
        • Beemer on Jun 19, 2015 at 3:45 pm

          I think fire exploding Proton is more dangerous. BMW is safer

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
          • kakaka on Jun 20, 2015 at 4:45 pm

            Safer what? Even BMW using killer takata airbags, kakakakakaka

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
      • SAM VHL Loo on Jul 07, 2015 at 10:01 pm

        UMW Toyota should close shop… No safety (priced over RM100k taik car still doesn’t have VSC), ‘tahi like’ quality from jamban made junks, f*#kingly very high selling price and pricey maintenance at their service center, arrogant and LCLY salesman that like to badmouth other car brands as their main selling point, always need to repair something, parts get spolit very often and so oftten even with Totally Retarded Dungu (TRD) top spec..please close down UMW Toyota and let Toyota Japan took over Malaysia distributorship.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • non-dreamer on Jun 18, 2015 at 7:34 pm

    So what Suzuki has wide experience in India ? The market is totally different in Malaysia. India can accept a car that has zero airbags in 2015. India main preference is a Diesel car and manual transmission.

    Don’t know what DrM is thinking… If its a Vitara then maybe there will be buyers since Kembara is long time out of production and no replacement model.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
    • xiper (Member) on Jun 19, 2015 at 1:04 am

      Vitara can never be priced at Kembara price range. Perodua tried with the Nautica and failed badly, what do you think if that is Proton? It will be even worst.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Hugo Andore on Jun 18, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    What a disgrace. Just close down and save us from the rubbish.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 11
  • salmon koh on Jun 18, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    revive or 100 plus, dont care.

    just close down the entire Proton factory, stop wasting money and time, and focus on Perodua.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 8
  • DPCraft on Jun 18, 2015 at 10:28 pm

    Those door handles in the picture above ^^, are outdated.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Passerby on Jun 18, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    Just close shop! dun waste rakyat money anymore

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
  • A national car brand without its own soul. The only client they have are Malaysian, just because its cheapest among others.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • samlok on Jun 18, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    Yes Proton swift sport is on the way.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • samlok on Jun 18, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    Yes Proton swift sport is on the way

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Fix your service centers! My experience: Went to them after my usual independent workshop failed to fix a problem on my Saga. Had to call six times before they picked up, and earliest appointment I could get was nearly a month away. And even after that, they still couldn’t fix the fault (only goes into second gear at 4000/5000 RPM on cold starts). Call again about the issue and the technician said it was “normal.”

    Far cry from Perodua’s service centers. They actually call YOU a few days after a service to ask if your car’s doing alright.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
  • kckuni on Jun 19, 2015 at 2:39 am

    don’t merely rely on others

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • goldarray on Jun 19, 2015 at 8:09 am

    Revive Proton with the tie up? all i can say, god bless proton.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • neemfa on Jun 19, 2015 at 8:18 am

    can’t compete with the global players, now trying to kill P2 by making compact cars.

    tak payah lah.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Karma is real on Jun 19, 2015 at 8:54 am

      Proton Australia on average selling 20-30 cars per month.

      2-3 cars sold per day.

      Salesman kuat senang goyang kaki.

      What a joke lah Proton.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • How about p2? So called building people’s car, but at the end making moving coffins

      Tutup je la

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • “Tie-up with Suzuki can revive Proton, says Mustapa”

    Why need revive? I thought P2 days has been numbered since the launch of Iriz. During launch, Iriz had 17K order. Now I think should have 117K. Be confident with your “game changing” car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • nulle on Jun 19, 2015 at 9:42 am

      Compare apple to apple, Iris is in B segment, Axia is in A

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
      • Say something only when you have something to convey and not because you need to talk.

        Where in my post I mention Axia?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
        • superman on Jun 19, 2015 at 2:47 pm

          In your dream, as said by Rock Legend Aerosmith, DREAM ON, DREAM ON!!!!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • and Hyundai hire exVW designer to replace exAudi designer…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • C. P. MOHAN on Jun 19, 2015 at 10:36 am

    To revive Proton simply address/incorporate Rakyat’s input as the adage says ‘Customer is King’.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Mustapa on Jun 19, 2015 at 6:45 pm

      To Proton, ‘Crony is King’

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • SAM VHL Loo on Jul 07, 2015 at 10:07 pm

        To UMW Toyota Malaysia, ‘Highest profit margin is King’, their customer mampus or become lumpuh/cacat permanently also they don’t f*#king care as long they earn maximum profit, even by stripping off VSC as well as quality from their overpriced jamban junks.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • superman on Jun 19, 2015 at 10:52 am

    as said by Rock Legend Aerosmith, DREAM ON, DREAM ON!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Just give me accordana below 100k. Price equivalent to vios TRD.
    Long live proton.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Shahril on Jun 19, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    MITI should reveal details of the
    30% reduction in car prices.
    not to menyampuk and be busy body
    wanna give their half cent comment.
    Suzuki is not so stupid wanna let you
    have their technical expertise.
    After all the failed marriages
    P1 dreaming thinking they are in bed with a winner.
    Continue dreaming P1 .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Still p1 got Lancer to rebadge to Inspira and enhance its cooling system.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • This is Proton after 20 over years. Matured Proton in his mid 20’s can’t stand by itself. Cannot develop it own brand. Shame and useless. Waste of tax payer money.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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