Thought the so-called Asian/ASEAN car project had slipped away into the sunset? Apparently not, as according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the auto industries of Malaysia and Indonesia will soon work together to make the ASEAN car a reality, Bernama reports.
Newly-appointed Indonesian president Joko Widodo (more popularly known as Jokowi) has expressed interest in the idea mooted by Malaysia, and Proton is expected to be involved in the project, Najib said.
“A feasibility study of a possible joint production of the ASEAN car by Malaysia and Indonesia will be undertaken and it (the idea) was welcomed by President Jokowi who wants the idea to be pursued further. This means Proton and Indonesia will launch the ASEAN car as a viable project after in-depth studies,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
Conversely, DRB-Hicom’s Asian Car Project, announced early last year, was to do with making Malaysia a regional Volkswagen production hub. It later came to light that Proton would also be involved. We don’t know if these two projects are related, or one and the same. Indonesia has a number of national car projects, including the GEA (seen above), a small 640 cc offering made by PT INKA.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments reflect skepticism and concern about the Malaysia-Indonesia car collaboration, citing Indonesian market dominance by Toyota and local brands, anti-Malay sentiment, and past unsuccessful ventures. Many question Proton's competitiveness, highlight high taxes and imported cars, and suggest the project may be more about political or personal gain. Some support economic ties and joint efforts, but overall, sentiments are cautious, with doubts about the project's feasibility and benefits for Malaysia.