And here we go again – rumours of Volkswagen being interested in taking up a stake in Proton crops up again. German publication Manager Magazin reports that VW is considering another opportunity to take up a stake in Proton, which will allow it to use Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant as a production base for the region.
The report also says that so far the Malaysian government is not particularly excited about the idea. But then again, Proton is a private company now owned by DRB-Hicom, which is Volkswagen’s assembly partner in Malaysia. Should the government really have any say about it?
A Volkswagen group spokesperson dismissed the report as speculation and did not provide any comments.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express cautious optimism about VW potentially taking an interest in Proton, with some hoping for technology transfer, better quality, and affordable models like Polo or Passat. Others are skeptical, fearing the deal might lead to higher prices, loss of local car identity, or poor quality. There’s support for collaboration, citing benefits such as platform sharing and R&D enhancements, but concerns also arise about maintaining national pride and protecting local industries. Several comments suggest that if VW manages to modernize Proton and provide better cars at competitive prices, Malaysians could benefit, but many worry about possible negative impacts, including increased costs and loss of local control. Overall, feelings range from hope for improved vehicle standards to skepticism about whether the benefits will outweigh potential downsides.