During a press conference following the signing of the definitive agreement of the Proton-Geely partnership, a question was raised if there would be any conflict of interest between Proton and Geely, given the brand positioning of both parties.
According to Zhejiang Geely chairman Li Shufu, this will not happen as both brands have different target markets. In the case of Proton, Li said the national carmaker is mainly relevant to Malaysia and South-East Asia, which Geely has no plans for its own plan. This negates any possibility of brand conflict.
Therefore, Geely plans to develop Proton into an ASEAN brand, and it will not have any brand presence here. He cited an example – where Proton is akin to Skoda, and Geely is Volkswagen. There’s plenty of synergy between the two brands even though both have different market positioning.
Li also noted that in the early stages, the first goal is for Proton to stop losing money and to turn its fortunes around. Only when the national carmaker has achieved a certain scale and strengthens its position in Malaysia, will there be the possibility for limitless future development and exports to other countries.
Geely is looking to tap into Proton’s experience in its over 30 years of existence, to help it develop right-hand drive models that are suitable for export. This is in line with Geely’s ambition for Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant to become its RHD production hub.
GALLERY: Geely Boyue in Malaysia
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I wonder what Geely can get from Proton’s 30 years of so called “experience” which mostly outdated and incompetent
Proton to act like Audi. Dunwan Skoda.
Why Proton act as Audi, straight away Porsche… wait that spot reserved for Lotus already.
Lotus Bugatti already.
Proton to become Ducati la
They already have Volvo to become Audi
Volvo is Porsche
No…. Lotus is Porsche
KL-PG balik kampong epic jam..
Well, some says dun need follow travel advisory cuz they luv their epic jams…
Better for Proton to act as SEAT.
Power window teknologi canggih
Ubah. Rakyat jadi canggih
Canggih menfitnah? Tak mau lah!
Both brands are rubbish
Your car brand is surely rubbish
There won’t be any conflict in sales. But there will be lots of other conflicts in other areas.
They most important conflict is this. What will Proton do when Geely says it wants to use its own vendors and suppliers for Proton cars in Malaysia?
Geely will get a shock of their lives when they see Abang Sdn Bhd supplying nuts and screws to Proton for RM100 per screw which Abang Sdn Bhd buys from Ah Chong Sdn Bhd for RM1
For sure Geely will say, they rather buy from Ah Chong Sdn Bhd directly for RM1.
What will Proton do? Until today even all powerful DRB and all powerful Syed Mokhtar could not even change one single vendor and supplier of Proton.
We all know, every single vendor and supplier company is either an existing politician or the son or wife or a retired politician. They will never let go of their cash cow.
I think simple, since now geely is the real boss though they only have 49.9, but they will manage the company instead of local.
no need to buy from RM1.00, all the parts just came in container load, even screw, they can do in 50cents but still better quality than RM1.00
Ekceli, China bolts & nuts r shiet quality…
No sales of course no conflict. Malaysians run away once heard of Proton. You can see the Proton showrooms closing down one by one.
Li Shufu request $1Billion lemons to spend R&D, not diamonds.
So Proton will never be seen globally and return back to its glory in its 80s? Sad
Glory in 80’s?
Should thank the chinese man from mainland for his understanding and generosity to take up troubling proton in order to save it from losing when almost anyone wont seal the deal with proton and its demands. Real or not we will see..
They bought a fish at the market and get the spring onion for free.
Lotus is fish, spring onion is ….Lolz
W/o spring onions, the fish has no taste.
we England prefer fish n chips. not stinky onions.
It is an honor for Li Shufu himself come down and grace the ceremony.
Proton will grow stronk!
Geely > all
Proton > all
Selamat kaya raya Li Shufu, lets eat Satay!
There goes P1 dream of being a global player. Juara kampung title also gone many moons ago. No more R&D and looks like the new GDi engines wil also be another wet dream. What to expect when management of DRB still wants a say & dare not offer Geely 50.1% instead.
:(
No plans for its own plan….
Hmm…. U mean no plans for it’s own brand?
Good plan. To accomplish that they will need someone with good business sense to be in proton. Not the current drbee buffoon.
From Asian BMW now upgrade to Asian Skoda!
Hidup Proton!!
For proton/Geely to survive, they just need to kick out all the cronies and bloated staff.
There is no other way.
First step is to stop losing money.
Chop your over bloated staff.
Out source & forget about R&D.
Cut the number of cars and concentrate on its niche market. No use going head to head with P2. Let P2 have the 1.5 & below market.
P1 should tap the 1.6 & above market instead.
Rebadge is the best option so don’t be so ego.
P1 has to start from scratch & this is the best option.
apa mau susah if ppl want to invest…just wish them luck…I am sure they will do all they can to protect their investment
Last time, when VW came courting with the same strategy (Proton akin to Skoda), Proton jual mahal. Tak mau kawin Mat Salleh.
Today, PRC company say use same strategy, Proton embrace the China man. Cepat cepat kawin.
Beggars can’t be choosers
I’m not sure what position is below Chinese brands in the automotive industry. I hope this deal works out for Proton.
I read on the news Geely paid 170 million for the 51% share and 290 million in the form of that suv platform. In a way, Geely is selling the platform to proton.
It seems like not a good deal to me. Plus, suv is like a smaller segment of the market. I can understand if they buy sedan platform. But looking at proton, they may not have much to offer.
Anyway, good luck to Proton with their future endeavour. It is not a Malaysian problem anymore… Or so I hope…
Ya. Not a good deal for proton but a very good deal for Li shifu. 1) lotus – among best ride & handling which is lack in Volvo/ geely car. Will help Geely alot to be a champion in passenger luxury car market. Plus Li Shifu interested to enter in super sport car. Lotus have a technology, experience and a long history in F1. Only lack cash injection, marketing and good management to compete with Porsche or higher segment Ferrari/ Lamborghini. 2) proton ready plant for expansion production right hand drive Volvo/ Geely car. 3) huge and big market ASEAN to explore.
Proton claimed this, claimed that, BMW of Asia, global player, game changer, world standard, R3 stuff and this and that, lots of gimmick, plenty of slogan, etc…..worst….Billions of tax payers RM wasted.
Last last, with under China company….
Ekceli, P1 din claim all that. Only a certain old man did…
Loan will be paid back, wasted what?
Driven this in china shanghai once upon a time, very good quality ride and handling, we mistaken it as some new European SUV model until was told it’s a China make model when we first collect the car from the car rental portal. If it’s below 120k here it’s no brainer to get it over Japanese make of similar price point. For those katak still perceived china make is below average quality, well u need to at least try to use their highend smart phones to feel the world is changing. Well said me.
So nothing new at all..
1st Team..Rebrand Mitsubishi, Honda & Suzuki but maintain 100% ownership..
2nd Team.. Rebrand Geely & even worst losing 49.9% share…
Hoi! kuih lapis ko dh siap masak
to be honest, this is a car that barely sells in china…not sure if it would work here…unless it gets very favourable policies
i tot proton is like “Audi” while Geely is the Volkswagen….Proton is premium class, last time they compared proton with Beemer ; )
The existence of proton is too insignificant in auto industry. Dont syok sendiri thinking you diri sama tinggi with volvo and vw.