The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) says it will be working closely with Proton to expand the national automaker’s reach in terms of export markets, Bernama reports.
The external trade promotion arm of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) will do so by providing assistance on market intelligence about potential export countries, Matrade CEO Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud explained.
“Proton is keen to expand its business and has a good prospect of increasing its export to overseas markets. We are looking at markets like the Middle East, African countries, Latin America, Asia and others that have free trade agreements with Malaysia,” he told reporters.
He said that Proton, which is set to re-enter the market in Chile, can look towards exporting its other products there, such as in the EV or hybrid segment. The automaker is re-entering the Chilean market 18 years after exporting its last car, the Proton Wira, there in 1998.
The first 50 left-hand drive units of the Proton Preve were shipped to the port city of San Antonio in March, the first batch of the 1,000 units it hopes to sell in the South American country this year. Aside from the Preve, Proton will also sell the Exora and Saga in the country. Proton will be distributed by Andes Motor, which signed a distributor agreement with the automaker on July 1 last year.
Chile joins the small number of current export markets for Proton, including Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and Egypt. Dzulkifli added that Iran was also a market with strong potential. “Iran is looking forward to Proton’s entry in a big way to the market,” he said.
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While MITI can help in marketing Proton’s products, but it should be the company that should bear the ultimate burden of doing the marketing themselves. Why not appoint some world renown celebrity or well known people to increase market awareness – that is just one of the strategies.
Oh sorry, it should read matrade not MITI.
Good. Cronies help each other. That’s the spirit of 1Malaysia
Say say only. You think so easy to sell junk to foreign countries? If they could do it, they would have started selling it in 90s.
MITI guys can escape any failures while watching minum teh tarik play facebook snapshot cake and post to instagram..
all sponsored..foc..colourful paradise..
very good trip across Pacific, can stop at Hawai’i for baywatch sexy woman dancing..
Poton stop wasting time and plz close shop because no one really wanna drive a xheap potong!
Camporn Engine? CVT bising Punch Powertrain? Sure can not sale l0rr!
Put in 1.5 Perodua engine, 4 speed E-AT in Proton Iriz, i sure can sale over in indonesia, Thailand, Chile, Amerika & Japan
Last time Proton helped Matrade……Now Matrade dah pandai sikit, dia pulak tolong Proton???
This is blatant credit take over by martrade. The export to chile was done before today. Long before martrade come in with these helping hands.
Martrade should start doing real work. Look out for potential markets long before everyone else does, so that we have real chance doing good business over there. And not competing with others.
Proton issue has long been documented. They dont have the volume. Even under AFTA, proton still having difficulties getting the numbers. Therefore the lack of profits.
And ah martrade, china and india long become the promise lands for low cost production. People dont believe you when uttered china and india and martrade doing real work. All that dont connect well.
Didn’t know Proton is same level as industri sos cili that need Matrade to promote their products.
it will not work as PROTON has lots its ground already in many countries such as Iran and Iraq due to better work by Korean and Chinese companies beside traditionally popular Japanese cars. also Proton technology is far too outdated and cars are not designed according to their taste. I know these because I visited these countries last year and spoke to car traders. Proton needs to be sold to an OEM top shot to be able to do this nit with DRB mismanagers…
Your Excellency Azmi,
June is approaching.Raya is around the corner.
Perodua,Honda have been busy launching facelifts and new products.
Where is the Hondana,Persona,Saga facelifts/rebadge?
By the time Protong do launch,it will be too late in a slowing market.
The Honda city,Perodua revamped myvis are gobbling up sales that belong to Proton.
By Christmas 2016,it will be a miracle if protong can hit 75000 units.And that with 1.5 B bailout funds.
Today,UMW oil and gas division chopped 300 staff.
Proton is the only company that refuse to wield the axe.That’s amazingly wierd,after gobbling 1.5 B.Perhaps the staff busy bodek Roti J…
Next year,angkat bola again…another 1.5 B on the way.Senang je,kenapa nak launch cepat cepat.Nanti banyak pulak REJECTS,KENA TARUH PULAK.
Rilax………
Better assist it to close shop la..
Don’t waste more money n time
The best strategy is, dont develop the engine.. look what happen to camporn engine? No automotive car want to buy engine from proton to put in their car model.. Develop the engine need to sale out to other automotve company like lotus, honda or what so ever..
Such as Engine Mitsu inside Inspira, Saga & Wira..
Develop Camporn Engine the coz of loss of Pornton..
Sendiri owned Lotus also dont want to use the CAMPRO engine that Lotus helped develop says it all….
And what about Turkey?
From 1997 to 2001 were the sales of Proton very high, reached the 3rd place by date.
Nowadays its selling about 50-100 cars a year!
Proton has sad in 2002, that they will sell its own diesel engine by 2004, but we have still 2016 and there is nothing about it!
Good sleep Proton!
As i said before, put in 1.5 Perodua engine & 4 speed E-AT gearbox in their Iriz, for sure can sale not in Turkey, also can sale in Italy, Bulgaria, Ukraine & France..
I thought only Malaysian don’t support Proton, how come the rest of the world also don’t support?
Cuz P1 dun market to rest of the world yet?
And what’s the annual sales volume of Proton Australia and UK?
Datuk CEO Free Trade Agreement With Bolehland???!!!
How come slap big taxes on South African import cars by gomen?!!!
Bet the rest of smart free trade partner countries r waiting to retaliate taxes on this junk!
I wonder how many p1 cars are exported annual?
and how many staff is hired by p1 for their export business?
just do a simple + – will know the fact.
Means that Matter has not been helping proton all this time. What is Matrade is doing all this while? Politics?
Or Proton has been too ego to ask for help?
So wat is the job of the entire p1 ceo and management team hired for? Suppose to be private but need gomen help to enter foreign market? Does the numbers justify the entry cost? Even Form 5 students SPM level can easily figure tis out
Just pinjam $$$ now anoter “hero” offering to tolong menolong, maybe can play golf free trips