Proton powers on
By midyear, Proton will announce the development of the next generation Proton cars.
Proton managing director Datuk Syed Zainal says the company is planning to enter more export markets, as well as looking to maintain a competitive edge in its home market.
“Work is under way to explore the development of high-performance 1.8 and two-litre engines and we are also in talks with several foreign parties,” he says. “We will announce something by mid-year."
“Going forward the next generation, Proton cars will need 1.8 and two-litre power plants as well as a diesel.”
The company says it plans to explore diesel options to avoid being left behind by changing buyer patterns in potential export markets.
“New export markets that we want to penetrate, like India and China, have high demand for diesel and for us not to have diesel engines incorporated in our cars would be a mistake,” Mr Zainal says.
The company, which has previously talked to Volkswagen and Peugeot about joint ventures, is only considering foreign partners for a five-year engine deal.
“I do not think a local partner can offer us the capability to develop a 'next level' engine,” Mr Zainal says.
He was recently in Australia at the Melbourne Motor Show, where he unveiled the new Persona, which is set to go on sale next month, as well as the R3 Satria, due in the first quarter of next year.
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