Following an earlier report that Proton is in discussions with several foreign partners who may be interested to purchase a stake in the national carmaker, international trade and industry minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said that a few leading automakers from Europe, China and Japan have expressed their interest to become Proton’s strategic partner.
He said the strategic partnership between Proton and a foreign counterpart was necessary to help the company, a small player at the international level, expand its business, Bernama reports.
Mustapa added that while the government is leaving it to the national carmaker to make the decision on which partner it will choose, there are several critical criteria it has to consider in making its decision. “The government wants Proton to ensure its strategic partner has the capability to lift the company once again. The strategic partner must also have the technology, capital and export network,” he explained.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that the carmaker was in talks with several foreign automakers. According to Malaysia Automotive Institute CEO Madani Sahari, several global original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have submitted their proposals, and Proton is currently reviewing them.
The national carmaker recently received a RM1.5 billion soft loan from the government, which came with several conditions that need to be met, including the need to identify a foreign partner. Additionally, a strategic plan to increase its share of the domestic market, as well as to penetrate into international markets, is also required.
A task force has been set up to oversee the company’s turnaround plans. Part of this includes the closing of its Shah Alam plant and consolidating all its production to Tanjung Malim. Both plants are currently running at about one-third of their 350,000-unit annual capacity.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Pls bungkus lah, so I can buy cheaper foreign cars.
p1 needs more donation, not desperately partners..
Butthurt 100x
Wanna cheap cars? Even in Thai oso expensive.
Bolehland is still developing country, dun compare with USA
Partner donation $$$ for nasi lemak teh tarik tido & have NO manegement power; keep losing $$$ with no benefit return from p1….!!! Oh sohai who car maker want do donation. ..???
Jngn risau apek, xkan bungkus punya
Same old story, keep on repeat, repeat, and repeat.. at the end make no difference. lol
Yeah that’s loser spirit, hopeless!
Sure ah can reduce car price if proton bungkus? Deluded…cos gomen kenot leggo good money
after bungkus also wont become cheaper…
How exactly we going to get cheaper car if Proton close down?
Bloody excise tax will still be there and surely gomen won’t give up on that. Where else they going to get money if not from gullible Malaysian who keep buying cars even though it is one of the most expensive market in the world. Then there are import tax, GST and other hidden taxes to deal with… And greedy car company making tonnes of profits, like UMW…
P1 and P2 pls close shop already if both of you close, malaysian will thanks to u.
In Thai no tongkat for p1 and p2 but cars are still expensive
Over now and then, so many comments eager for Proton to go bankrupt. Obviously this is what going to happen if Proton ‘bungkus & gulung tikar’:
1. Perodua will continue to sell compact cars at the price of a proper C-segment cars (considered as ‘luxury’), while still lagging technologically behind established carmakers. People bangga to own ‘Daihatsu’ car (Toyota beb!), yet they do not know that Daihatsu is known for less-sophisticated and budget low cost cars in Japan.
2. If you want good handling cars, no cars will come available cheap.
3. Hey, Malaysia still got its own pride & joy national car. So why reduce the excise/import duty for cars? The government surely will not lift the non-tariff barriers. Even ASEAN CBU is not going to be cheap either despite decade-old AFTA.
Sink or swim, Proton must survive. Deep inside your keyboard warrior no-holds-barred P1 bashing instinct, I’m sure u really want Proton to stand tall as other players. That kind of hope can only be realized by a equity take-over by established brands. Perhaps Japanese, and please not from China.
i’d rather have continental partners. their technology, and refinement, and certain parts replaced with our weather-proof parts, then boom!
then it will be different!
tsi powered iriz?
ecoboosted preve?
Then pipu will complain about dual shift gearboxes. How leh?
MY pipu will alwiz have something to complain, deal with it.
From another perspective, what you are saying:
– costs our rakyat billions of ringgit with no real benefit as the cause of expensive tariffs is a result of protecting proton.
– Technology? What proprietary tech does proton have? All their cars (the better selling ones) are rebadged. Hence 0 proton owned tech.
– Good handling? Thats what you and proton dont seem to get it, at the price point proton is serving, handling is not a priority. The majority would gladly sacrifice some handling for good ole fashion quality and reliability. Belum jalan mau berlari.
Proton is a national shame. After 30 years still cannot break into other markets and still an internally perceived jaguh kampung. Time to wake up and look at reality. Persistence with progress is success. Persistence with repeated problems is just plain dumb.
Proton close shop. The taxes will still be here. It’s either that or you pay 20% petrol tax. 20% gst . 20% income tax.
Government will not lose the income from tax. Wake up.
I would rather have high car taxes. Keep others low.
No discrimination ,Once come down to big money buy out, China man will beat all continental players. Bottom line is no matter buyer from any corner of the world, big money will be accepted buy any seller! Like the famous phrase “Money that makes the world spin” BTW on logic, no seller wants their merchandise to be sold at bottom prices!
Talk Sendiri, Shiok Sendiri.
Please select a Japanese Partner. Others are not reliable.
Honda saja la,vtec bagus….too many dual vvti on road soon.vtec boleh tapao
Yes.. i’m agree with u.. honda is better than other brands bcoz they always invented new engines. More than that, a reliable safety while driving. And other thing, u know why.. bcoz in US, Honda is more popular.
Yup, in US n M’sia only, every where else people drive Toyota or Nissan. Go figure.
But others may have more money.. or bigger export market.
For example when China youngman had a JV with proton… they sold 180,000 units of gen2 and persona within 2 years… which is about what Malaysia can give over a period of 5 yrs. And that translates to bigger scale of economies for proton. I guess the Japanese company is Suzuki. It is unlikely any other at company will come forward and share proton with Suzuki. While for European it would be something outside the VW group (vw,audi,seat, Skoda, Bugatti, Porsche), and outside Fiat group (Fiat, Maserati, Alfa Romeo , lancia, Ferrari) and also outside GM group (Chevrolet, Opel, Vauxhall)
China market also bigger than malaysia ma.. thats why they can sell better quantity than proton. Logic sometimes seems so difficult to understand.
They just hungry for 1.5 billion only
Hungry for the shah alam land. Monetizing asset is not a turnaround. It is a fire sale.
Most probably, manufacturer from China…where else..
Those workers in Proton factory might not able to withstand the Chinaman pressure.
Or the Chinaman just fired everyone in there and re-hire hardworking foreign workers.
Best is still VW, same kind of cheat, same kind of reliability. Perfect match.
Proton’s dream larger than life. Look down on Japanese. Dekat-dekat dengan European brands tapi sendiri punya brand tak ke mana.
Saw jepunis badmouthing campaign is much more than clean one. If you sell trash you cannot make better that way, junk is junk.
Desprate word only after Bezza short time success.
The reality is that all those potential “partners” will go deep in proton’s orifice then pull out after realizing how much crap is in there and leave never to call again.
Happened before, when partner with Honda.
another old story being recycled about several automakers interested in proton XD
The same will be repeated in the next term..it will be..wait for it..wait for it..Lagendary!!
Same talk no action buy Proton management, game changer game changer in the end keep selling off stake shares to foreigner… In future will start “protek protek” ???
Why let Proton decide when the govt ,led by DS Idris Jala has been tasked to come out with the turnaround plan which includes a foreign partner. Its like being a matchmaker and let P1 decide whether it is workable. Suka ke tak suka.
Come on DS Mustapa. It’s not what Proton wants. They have no say on this issue.
It’s for the survival of P1.
If you throw the ball in their court for sure they will take care of their self interest & make sure that their crony is included in whatever agreement.
Desperate times calls for desperate measures.
If you are not gonna chop the top management & decision makers then its back to square one.
Next year we will again see a life line call for another 1.5 bil. This time sell Tg Malim plant.
Bercukurlah!!!
They should go to FIAT. So far nothing can challenge Axia other than Europe best selling FIAT 500.
In my own humble opinion Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi-Dong Feng alliance is the best candidate. Carlos Goshn can further synergies between the brands. I can see Renault strength in European cars, Nissan in sedan and luxury cars, Mitsubishi in commercial vehicle and if Proton come in I’m very sure ASEAN market concentration. To make things happened, Tan Chong should also have a stake in the new co. So the platform and engine development from Nissan-Renault, design, R&D centre, and manufacturing in Tg. Malim, service centre and used car (trade in business) put it under Tan Chong. It will be a win-win situation for all actually.
Lol… lai lai… rebadging opportunities for old models. Where else can find? Phased out models still can make money.
Just take toyota as partner so that umw can stop selling crappy toyota cars
When mahathir went to Japan in the late 70s to look for car Partner, Toyota was one of the first be approached.
Toyota however declined. Because mahathir required Toyota not to sell any passenger cars as to not clash with proton.
Only Mitsubishi accepted the terms even though it was doing pretty well in Malaysia back then. The galant, lancer, colt and tredia plus the sporty 10 speed cordia had received good response.
Sleeping partner?
You need to layoff some lazy workers first
BYD, Chery or Geely of China are good choices. For the Europeans or Japanese. Unfortunately you guys are not known for making rational decisions. Just look at your current product range. Very sad.
would have save taxpayers a whole lot of money and heartache by ending the business.
guessing China again…
Save MY from BNGov = Save P1 from foreign overlords
plotong want a partner to dump in money and expertise without ceding control…..no dumbarse out there laa
‘Closing Shah Alam Plant”…quite impossible…cos the deadwood got multiple families,sekolah dekat je,datuk nenek dekat je…how to UPROOT THEM ?
UNTIL p1 chop the 30 percent deadwood,no one wants to move.
Beware all new potential Proton buyers…these disgruntled staff may sabotage the cars since the CHOPPING is going to happen very soon.
And congrats to company taking over P1.No need pay back soft loan,1.5Billion rm.Wahlioa….untung nya. Durian runtuh!!!!
Vultures are always circling around dying animals
Not again .. how many times has proton been going through this ?
2 factories. 700,000 units per year capacity, running at 1/3 output, and no buyer. what a waste.
hey i drive a saga flx se, which i think is an OK car, but apart from saga, persona and exora, the other models are just stupid.
tips: pickup truck like dmax hilux. based on exora (like the concept they had). 1.6 turbo engine good enough for pasar malam people, contractors and townspeople who likes pickups. undercut segment price. good design. BAM! instant profit.
Should be 350k for both shah alam n tjg malim.. not 700k..
Which automakers?
Ssangyong? Great Wall? Chery? Tata? Mahindra?
Takata
Potong and p2 if both of u close shop, malaysian will thanks to u!
Jepunis overlords toyota will thank u cuz then they can continue sell overprice moving deathtraps with non-existent safety features until 4040.
Banzai toyota!
Matilah kita!
Talibarut up Kunta!
i can smell PSA..
DS4, 407, 508
It’s a parent not a partner. What Proton need is proper administration, planning and staff & vendor management. Good product, marketing and support should make a huge different as people want commitments from Proton.
Proton make good cars. Look at Saga already 20 years still running strong. Taxi all use Proton cars. Proton cars very reliable if not reliable why would taxi use Proton cars? Once the new Saga and persona and ertiga is launched, even P2 cannot fight Proton. Proton will regain the first position. Just wait and see. I’ll still burn my Saga to get a Japanese Vios or city :-)
In your dream!!..
Proton is doing reasonably well. Why not sell lock, stock and barrel?
No company dare to partner with a Proton company with staffs that excel in sleeping, drink teh tarik, eat kuih lapis and ular-ular culture….
The disease in proton is terminal. No cure oredi….
Wat partner, wat criteria(partner give $$$ for p1 manegement nasi lemak teh rarik tido, partner have no manegement power keep donation…???) Oh who sohai will give p1 money help in technology, wat p1 have can benefit partner…???
“Several global original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have submitted their proposals, and Proton is currently reviewing them.” … Who you trying to tipu … U think international Automakers going to line up to tender for potong when you have failed in every aspect of a car manufacturer …. Technology zero, R&D zero, Sales & Marketing zero, all models produce have failed, u have nothing to offer except ur 2 manufacturing plants which any partner will have to spend a fortune to update in order to produce modern cars of today unlike potong junk !!! What a joke potong, it’s more likely the other way around where potong has begged for summission to tender international Oem partners…. A last desperate cry for help probably selling ur stake/share for 10 cents to see if anyone wanna help potong, that’s a more credible story Potong! Potong really syok sendiri with big stories like this, but the end is near, potong gonna bungles very soon one way or the other.
Attention to all China business man, u r welcome to buy out this company as much as u want!.. I mean 100%… not half heart 50% or so-so.. Even some of our local supporters don’t bungkus them , just brush them aside. Just Pay them & take over start produce even cheaper cars than Perodua!
Do anyone remember the national brand home appliance ? modena motorbike ? Cepat Cepat tutup .. bagus!
Proton just collaborate and produce another brand lah..
Rakyat Malaysia Tahniah sikap mereka maju .. Malaysia Boleh.
Hopefully you choose the right partner but looking at your track record as a MITI minister, I have a doubt. You do not seem to posses the right acumen to lead and reform auto industry. What happened to your “energy efficient vehicle” initiative for manufacturer awarded to Chinese Great Wall Motors?. Stop being a moron. No well to do Malaysians will buy Proton with Chinese tech.
The foreign parties are interested in the facilities, nothing else. Proton will want them to keep the brand as part of the deal, which will be the biggest sticking point in the negotiations.
proton is so lembab in doing biz.. so slow..
proton shud just find a partner n change the name Proton to something else..
now sure sales of sagas n personas r almost zero (bcoz of p2 bezza)
Whoever it is all cars are getting crappier. Cars are getting lighter and noisier for the sake of fuel saving. Latest Camry doesn’t even half as good as old one. Even driving Passat feels like just ordinary cars. While P1 might having a wet dream to build a good decent car, other just interested in “numbers” of car sold. Gud Luk P1
Why not partner with P2 ? At least better than selling to more foreign carmakers.
P1 in fire sale now…so foreign car makers will need control (over 51%) else no one will invest as learned how crocked bolehland business..
its good since workers can get more work in return IF share holders (DRB) give up…the product will be 1/10th and not 1/3 down the road, 35K cars per year soon.
Boring already reading about proton.