Construction of a plant in Guangzhou, China to build a Lotus SUV – expected to go on sale in 2019 – could begin as soon as the end of this year, according to a Bernama report.
Guangzhou Development and Reform Commission deputy director Wang Ke Si said that the Proton subsidiary chose Guangzhou as a production hub because of the district’s strong support facilities for the automotive industry, as well as the assistance of the local government.
Wang added that the 10 billion yuan (RM6.17 billion) project will include the construction of manufacturing facilities, headquarters and a research and development centre.
“It’s still under development. Studies on soil usage have been completed and we have sent the relevant documents to the ministries, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and other related commissions. We will begin at the end of this year,” he said.
One interesting titbit revealed in the report concerns the countries the SUV will allegedly be sold – the national news agency said that the vehicle will be sold not only across China, but in other Asian markets as well. This concurs with then-chairman of Proton Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s previous remarks that a Lotus SUV will indeed be sold outside China (and could be badged as a Proton as well), contrary to prior reports.
The project to build a production hub in China is part of a joint venture signed between Proton, Group Lotus and Goldstar Heavy Industrial in April last year. The JV company will build and sell Lotus-badged passenger cars, as well as providing aftersales service for the brand’s products in China. It is reported that Proton and Goldstar each hold a 50% stake of the company’s authorised capital.
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Hum its about time Lotus ……..hey wait if the plant is about to be built than that means the lotus Suv is actually ready for unveiling …..iam very excited …i just that its not a bloody Coupe SUV Ie like the X6, GLE and X4
Copied platform form partnership Proton Iriz?
Great, they rather sell it to China customer but not bringing into Malaysia home country. Somemore they ask us Malaysian to support local product?! Dream on!
They should rebadge all Proton cars with Lotus badge. Hopefully Proton can improve sales with this.
There was never a year that Proton has announced any profit from lotus since its acquisition.
The world’s worst decision in business is BUYING LOTUS.
wHO MADE THE STUPID DECISION?
The worst is ,no one dares to hive it off.Cos if cannot make money,ask Roti j…. for another bailout,easy mah.
In the end,all taxpayers are funding this FAILED EXPERIMENT.
Just watch,next year cos of bad economic conditions…they will beg for another 1.5 to 2.6 B,after all LHDN officers are working overtime to collect max taxes.
Amazingly,Proton has not chopped a single DEADWOOD yet.Just ,simply SHAMBOLIC.
Wont it be much more prudent and risk free, if proton used its underutilise factories to manufacture this?
It is a pressing needs to have a new factory?
i think it’s mainly to gain access to China market. if you manufacture it here, it may not enjoy so much incentive as if it is manufactured and sold there. not to mention it should be easier to gain access to all the necessary parts that are needed for the new car.
but i think they should have another production hub in Malaysia as well, just use the Tanjung Malim factory to do it. Then Proton doesn’t have to produce the left hand drive and right hand drive cars at the same spot. they can just give the chinese factory the right to produce left hand drive cars, and malaysian factory the right to produce right hand drive ones.
china regulation to protect their automotive industry. if u want to sell in china. must build in China and partner with local company. true story.
MAHATHIR MADE THE STUPID DECISION TO BUY LOTUS.
HE IS OBSESSED WITH LOTUS.
Is this real? Why no spyshots for this car?
After conning Malaysia, now want to con China? Gud luck
50% shared by p1 and goldstar.. total cost 6.17b.. meaning p1 will invest 3.08b.. so, will this answer to those who always question the soft loan 1.6b given by gov?
i think my 7 years old kid can design better than this…can stop laughing…lol
Show it here
never seen ur kids on Asian got talent…..or he/she talented?
I hope they are not using this exact design. It appeared so many years ago and look so dated now.
reading your comment I know your education level already… lucky PT didn’t take your as his journalist
lotus owned by Malaysia but instead choose to give job opportunities to China rather than Malaysia…
investment of 6bil just like this give free…
why don’t want to build here? any problem?
why the rakyat never bising about this important issue but everyday only say confuse confuse confuse?
china market gives you volume.. and if you want to penetrate china.. you need a local partner, and investment in china.. Also, the Lotus brand if viewed quite positively by the chinese. if proton wants to survive and grow, they need to look beyond just Malaysia. A step in the right direction i feel… especially if it can grow lotus into a profitable entity.