MITI minister: Proton to tie up with original equipment manufacturers

The government is planning strategic joint ventures between Proton Holdings Bhd and original equipment manufacturers(OEM) in a move to increase the national car maker’s long-term competitiveness, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said such strategic alliance would also help Proton expand its market share, both at home and abroad.

“Besides, it will maximise the use of latest and advanced technologies which would serve as an impetus for continued development along the local automotive chain,” he said in a written reply to Teresa Kok Suh Sim (DAP-Seputeh), who wanted to know of the government’s plan for Proton over the next three years.


On the retail price of cars, Mustapa said: “It does not only depend on import and excise duties and, road tax.

It also depends on other factors like the completely knocked down component of the car, foreign exchange, transportation cost and insurance,” he added.

On duty for cars imported from Asean countries, Mustapa said it would be abolished on January 1, 2010 under the Asean Free Trade Agreement.

Import duties would also be reduced or abolished under the Free Trade Agreements which the government has negotiated or signed with several countries.


comments


This is the biggest joke i heard about improving Proton by tying-up with OEM manufacturers?!? How they going to improve fast? They dont even have new technology transfer from other better manufacturer?!? It smells like the OEM manufacturer will suck even more $$$. Now i know why the VW deal fail, to protect the OEM more than Proton itself...