Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has revealed that Proton Holdings Bhd will work with Chinese carmaker Geely Automobile Holdings to expand the former’s market in China, reports Bernama.
He said the national carmaker and Geely are now in the discussion stage after signing an agreement of interest on April 22, witnessed by former PM and now Proton chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“The areas of the cooperation explored include vehicle design, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing, import and distribution for ASEAN and the China market,” Najib told Malaysian reporters in Beijing.
Geely KC Concept from the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show
He added that if Proton and Geely were to seal the agreement, the Malaysian carmaker would produce cars based on the design of Geely’s models.
Najib said that in the two-way meeting between himself and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang earlier this afternoon, he had asked for cooperation and support from the Chinese government on the cooperation between Proton and Geely.
Geely develops, manufactures and sells cars under the Geely, Gleagle, Englon and Emgrand brands in China. It bought Volvo from Ford in 2010. As of April 4, 2013, the company’s total market capitalisation was US$3.9 billion (RM12.5 billion).
