Renault and Groupe PSA – previously known as PSA Peugeot Citroen – are supposedly in talks with national automaker Proton over a possible strategic partnership, The Edge reports. The publication cites industry sources familiar with the matter as saying that discussions are ongoing with the automaker’s parent, DRB-Hicom.
The sources add that there’s a possibility that a scenario might come about where the French automakers could buy into Proton. “It could happen. They could buy into Proton, but it’s not certain yet,” a source told the publication.
The news of talks with more foreign automakers comes in the wake of Proton obtaining a soft loan of RM1.5 billion from the government. The loan is said to come with a set of terms, and it has been revealed that Proton will agree to all of them.
This includes providing a convincing business model along with a strategic plan to expand its domestic and international markets. Both will be overseen by a special task force that will be set up and it will be led by Pemandu chief executive Datuk Seri Idris Jala.
The government has said it will set a timeline for Proton to implement its turnaround plan. It added that it would not interfering in the company’s operation, but will monitor the company based on the conditions set by the Ministry of Finance.
The supposed discussions with Renault and PSA add to the list of possible enterprise partners. Last June, Proton signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and licence agreement with Suzuki to form a long-term strategic collaboration and partnership. The collaboration will allow Proton access to Suzuki’s models, platforms, powertrain and automotive technology, while the Japanese carmaker will provide specific technical assistance for the selected products and scope.
While the deal initially only enables Proton to sell rebadged Suzukis, it does allow both companies to explore jointly developing new models, something that is a possibility, according to a report last month. It’s said that the partnership could eventually expand into a deeper research and development collaboration.
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Then I have to sell off my 208….darn…
Unless Renault and PSA can touch on Proton parts manufacturing chain, else there is no hope on QC. They are just pouring FOREIGN DONATION for Proton only.
Same Loo,
“Strategic partnership” will involve more cries for FUNDS.
1.5 bILLION ALMOST whacked cukup cukup,so they will ask for another 1.5 B in the grand name of R and D.(Research and DONATION(to my pocket))
easy mah,LHDN just got to work harder je.
Just watch their next move.They think rakyat bodoh.
Mentality lebih teruk daripada pengemis.
Shambolic car manufacturer of Asia award 2105
Have to pay back, not free
Pay back my “F number plate”! End of the day, they just contra a few Perdana to government, then debt cleared.
Learned new stuff: Research & Donation!
After many yrs observing our GLC companies, they ‘re more towards Relax &et Donated
It is not free
Now it’s Peugeot, my, my, we’re moving up the food chain, no more Japanese marques, we now move on to the continental brands. Lest we forget, proton is better than BMW according to some of our local big wigs!
I believe peugeot will be p1’s 3rd wife.. 1st wife from china while 2nd with japan..
Don’t understand.. DRB Hicom no money? Why must Gov loan them money? Any risk? Why not get bank loan?
Well said, hope the management answer the questions…
Management? what management? you mean the bunch if mismanagers who call themselves proton professional hot seat occupiers?
Thanks for giving an example…
DRB will have to sell more than 50% or else no deal.
If DRB have access and rebadge Peugeot， Peugeot image will suffer, that being the case, I will ditch Peugeot from now onwards. no more Peugeot. I will wait and see the development, no Peugeot for the time being for me.
WOOW that fast
Better don’t, Proton is the untouchable. It is wan san 瘟神。
瘟神，”Wen shen”, in a standard Chinese pronunciation
I believe the project took off some 20/years ago with Citroen AX and then later powerplants for Waja 1.8 and savvy 1.2 manual and AMT
Renault? Aiyoo, last time Waja 1.8 & Savvy use Renault parts no good. French companies seemed to put P1 in a bad state e.g. Renault (Waja 1.8, Savvy), Citroen (Tiara)
tbh those Renault parts are actually pretty reliable; it’s just that they are really expensive (and limited) since they’re imported all the way from Europe, and most Proton’s own mechanic have limited knowledge/experience on fixing them back then.. doesn’t only happen to Proton, we all know it’s a common issue with French cars in Msia
Not Renault la. Renault is with Nissan.
Its PSA Groupe = Peugeot & Citroen. Dongfeng of China own about 14% of the group also. So, China got a little involvement.
Renault won’t bid for Proton since they already have cheap car brand (Dacia and Datsun). So only PSA Groupe is more viable option here.
This is the time now for France PSA to raise the white flag and run the opposite direction!
Proton is really a CURSED company. any partner who tried to work with them got into trouble. VW was in talks and now they are in trouble, same with Mitsubishi and Suzuki, now it is Renault and PSA turn. DRB must sell proton and let it become self sufficient. when Renault or PSA bosses wee the mess in Proton, they will run away for sure. Renault and PSA starting ti make a name in Malaysia and if they join with Proton they are finished. Honda was smart to pull out…
Well, VW previously got in talk with Proton and niw in triuble, so Proton is cursed?
So dramatic, superstitious even. Not expecting that is the 21st century.
The problems were due to themselves, why dragged in p1?
Here come another tongkat to keep proton breathing…
30 years after founded, still cannot stand on his own feet. It’s a shame to the country!
Well, that that to mitsu.. shame to them..
Tell that to Toyota that still do rebadging, lol
And the list continues………
Not to bash proton but proton is having endless partnerships with so many brands previously and it always ends up nothing much happened except for probably rebadging one of the model of the cars . That’s it . I hope the partnership is serious this time that it would go further than just rebadging the other brand’s car
}
if,
proton + peugeot = no good
else if,
proton + nissan = good
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this is only happened in malaysia.
never ending complain country.
Why is Proton sleeping with so many partners?
Slept with Mitsubishi. Renault. Honda. Suzuki. Sounds like a low-class hooker.
Somewhere along the way had time to adopt and then bastardize Lotus. Poor parenting pulak. Don’t even mention babydumping MV Agusta…
Even Merc can’t turn MV Agusta. So?
Rubbish talking to rubbish…
IMHO, instead of having countless exploratory meetings and partnership discussions, why cant Proton’s management work towards tackling basic issues plaguing the Proton name, as well as its finances? For as start, start working on these basic pressing issues:
-Proton has to Trim Down its Bloated ‘Upper Management’. Too many Chiefs and managers, too high of an Overhead cost to bear, in comparison to its dismal annual vehicle sales.
-Look into providing assembly service to any interested car brands, that are selling CBU vehicles in Malaysia. Increase Capacity Utilisation in your Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim Plants. These Plant setup costs are sunk, and has to be amortized somehow.
-Focus on selling Proton vehicles in Developing markets, and close down sales outlets or exit from Developed countries. Although it is nice to have a presence, but if there is very low or no sales, it is pointless to be in that market.
-Proton has to Trim down headcount in its procurement departments.
In short, It is pointless to appoint ‘Apple polishers’ to run an Automotive company, as it is proven time and time again for Proton. Proton needs a small, capable team of Engineers, Accountant, Legal, Quality, procurement and Administrative personnel; who are not ‘shackled’ by ‘influential agents’ of the ruling government, and are dedicated in turnaround of said brand….But Alas..will it happen!! Only time will tell…..
Pls pls get it right this time.
Put all the pride & self ego behind.
We are talking long term sustainability.
And also don’t let this be another MAS where the CEO jumped ship after only 1 year.
If P1 is serious about this then just let go.
Don’t let crony suppliers , lop sided contracts and political influence be an obstacle.
We wish P1 all the best. !!
Why can’t Proton find a more capable partners? All the manufacturers they are talking to are struggling just like Proton itself, Mitsubishi is struggling, Suzuki is struggling , PSA is struggling too.
Have u heard 7 budget airlines just agreed for an alliance in order to fight with airasia? There u go my reason.. just imagine if one of these budget airline propose for JV with airasia, surely tony will makan them.. either u with us or against us.. same here, different scenario only..
Oh no! The last time they had a collaboration, things went downhill for Proton. And Nissan used to have bulletproof vehicles but since the alliance, this is not the case anymore….Heck, my Navara needed a clutch change within 17,000 km that cost a bomb. Maybe I got a buah limau
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance should also acquire Proton and will be more competitive. Carlos Goshen please consider buying 45% of Proton shares.
There u go.
Why 45 & not 51 percent ?
That was what happened when VW
wanted management control over P1.
If this kinda ego is still there then this JV will bound to fail.
Too late P1. Too late.
What if people tell u that you r too late to repent before u die?
Hope Mr. Carlos Ghosn will see that Proton management improve their quality and products. We might have our very own Proton RS !
R.I.P Nissan Malaysia if partnership success.TC going to be replaced by crony.
Peugeot / Citroën NOT Nissan Renault Mitsu
Dont get confused. !!
oh no….not again.
mark my word…malaysians dont like left hand signal stalks!
it’s better for proton to stick to suzuki….right hand signal stalk!
Renault-Nissan-Mitsu-P1 global alliance? To challenge VW hegemony?
Too many hantu(s) in Proton; PSA will not dare .. no conclusion to any discussion. Wanna bet?
Strategic p/ship? And the ship is sinking.
one thing tho, proton don’t break as much as peugeots, renaults are getting better due to component sharing with nissan
Could this be another engine deal… for the Iriz in Europe ? I don’t want to speculate, but I would much prefer if Proton didn’t work with Renault/ PSA… it’s hard to ignore the Savvy, Waja 1.8 and Tiara.
What happened to the plans PSA had with Naza?
Its difficult to imagine that Proton is sourcing for multiple partners and asking for tech benefits, like a polygamy marriage. I am pretty sure Suzuki executives are not really comfortable with this piece of news. Unless if the purported partnership is supposedly for diesel engine supply for exports to Euro markets (last time they had this kind of talks, but never materialized).
Proton needs a partner for the export market I guess this strategic partnership is about. However, we know no consumer will purchase any cars without having at least 3S centers maybe be Renault/PSA would ask Proton what in it for me? Proton what can you offer that Renault/PSA does not have? Huh.