Proton To Renew Mitsubishi Alliance

**nadepalma** · 02-03-2006, 09:22 AM

Source: http://www.just-auto.com/news_detail...t=50763&dm=yes

MALAYSIA: Proton to renew Mitsubishi alliance
03 Feb 2006
Source: just-auto.com editorial team

Proton has confirmed it will renew its alliance with former partner Mitsubishi Motors after talks broke down with Volkswagen.

Both parties are scheduled to sign an agreement, during a ceremony at Proton's research and development facility on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, on Friday afternoon (3 February), Kyodo News said.

Proton's new chief executive and managing director, Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir, told the news agency the collaboration with Mitsubishi involves only technical aspect and not equity holding.

Kyodo News noted that Mitsubishi Motors and trading house Mitsubishi used to be major technical partners and shareholders of Proton, holding a combined 15.8 percent stake, and the Malaysian automaker’s earlier models were actually re-badged Mitsubishi models.

Mitsubishi ended the 21-year partnership last year by selling off all its shares though it still supplies parts and engines to Proton.

Proton’s Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir, who joined the company last December, reportedly said the company is not expected to fully turn around within a year though there are plans to expand in overseas market with an eye on the huge Chinese and Indian markets.

''These two markets, we can't ignore. China, we have tried...we have identified several parties in China,'' he told Kyodo News, adding: ''In India, we will start talking to several parties. In fact, they have approached us.'' He declined to name the parties.

**nadepalma** · 02-03-2006, 09:29 AM

I guess this works out well for both companies. Proton most definitely needs some access to new technology. Now that the ASEAN countries are lowering tariffs among their members states it's getting more and more competitive out there for them. And Mitsubishi could certainly use someone to sell parts and technology to -- since it would probably help reduce the cost of parts/development as well as save them some money through economies of scale.

On a different note, since Proton owns Lotus and Lotus Engineering, I would like to see the company survive so as to keep those UK operations running.

Just my observation.

SUPERBADD75 · 02-03-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadepalma

On a different note, since Proton owns Lotus and Lotus Engineering, I would like to see the company survive so as to keep those UK operations running.

Just my observation.

kind of makes me wonder though, could this mean that the U.S. market Elise will no longer get the 1.8L engine from Toyota? that would be a bummer unless they replace it with the Evo turbo engine. ****************, that car would freaking scream with the Evo engine. 1900 lbs. plus 287hp, what a combo! of course i'm sure the likelihood of that happening is just this side of nil....

johnny smallblock · 02-03-2006, 11:47 AM

What the hel-l is a Proton? We need to thin the automotive heard.

lio45 · 02-03-2006, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nadepalma

On a different note, since Proton owns Lotus and Lotus Engineering, I would like to see the company survive so as to keep those UK operations running.

I'm quite sure you don't need to worry for that. Someone has to be interested in picking up Lotus if Proton spins it off.

kenman923 · 02-03-2006, 12:16 PM

Any chance they will buy Mitsubishi?

oudidntkn0w · 02-03-2006, 12:39 PM

mitsubishi's still around?

Geotpf · 02-03-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUPERBADD75

kind of makes me wonder though, could this mean that the U.S. market Elise will no longer get the 1.8L engine from Toyota? that would be a bummer unless they replace it with the Evo turbo engine. ****************, that car would freaking scream with the Evo engine. 1900 lbs. plus 287hp, what a combo! of course i'm sure the likelihood of that happening is just this side of nil....

Proton has owned Lotus for quite awhile (and has had a partnership with Mitsubishi for longer), long before the Toyota engine was picked for the US spec Elise. The Toyota engine was picked because it was already smog-legal in the US, so they didn't have to certify it again. I believe it was a local Lotus decision to go with the Toyota engine, not one made by Proton.

mbukukanyau · 02-03-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geotpf

Proton has owned Lotus for quite awhile (and has had a partnership with Mitsubishi for longer), long before the Toyota engine was picked for the US spec Elise. The Toyota engine was picked because it was already smog-legal in the US, so they didn't have to certify it again. I believe it was a local Lotus decision to go with the Toyota engine, not one made by Proton.

They should have used the Turbo Evo III Engine

Squachy · 02-03-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geotpf

Proton has owned Lotus for quite awhile (and has had a partnership with Mitsubishi for longer), long before the Toyota engine was picked for the US spec Elise. The Toyota engine was picked because it was already smog-legal in the US, so they didn't have to certify it again. I believe it was a local Lotus decision to go with the Toyota engine, not one made by Proton.

I thought it was picked because the EU spec elise was using a Rover K engine of similar displacement.... (1.8L)

Oh BTW Canada finally gonna get the Elise

yassir(snowman) · 02-03-2006, 04:07 PM

that is my dads car in malaysia. i never saw a proton with an engine bigger than 2.0l. that car has 1.3l.

asim · 02-03-2006, 08:30 PM

Thats an ugly looking car...

PeterPuck · 02-03-2006, 09:44 PM

Wow!

The Proton is one of the worst-reviewed cars I've ever seen on carsurvey.org. The owners even hate the brand-new ones.

http://carsurvey.org/manufacturer_Proton.html

Smaart Aas Saabr · 02-03-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny smallblock

What the hel-l is a Proton? We need to thin the automotive heard.

Yes you must all drive Trabants! Heil Honecker!

redimpss5 · 02-04-2006, 03:47 AM

I'll take a patron..but not a proton!!

02-03-2006, 09:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
nadepalma GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 5,630	Proton To Renew Mitsubishi Alliance Source: http://www.just-auto.com/news_detail...t=50763&dm=yes MALAYSIA: Proton to renew Mitsubishi alliance 03 Feb 2006 Source: just-auto.com editorial team Proton has confirmed it will renew its alliance with former partner Mitsubishi Motors after talks broke down with Volkswagen. Both parties are scheduled to sign an agreement, during a ceremony at Proton's research and development facility on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, on Friday afternoon (3 February), Kyodo News said. Proton's new chief executive and managing director, Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir, told the news agency the collaboration with Mitsubishi involves only technical aspect and not equity holding. Kyodo News noted that Mitsubishi Motors and trading house Mitsubishi used to be major technical partners and shareholders of Proton, holding a combined 15.8 percent stake, and the Malaysian automaker’s earlier models were actually re-badged Mitsubishi models. Mitsubishi ended the 21-year partnership last year by selling off all its shares though it still supplies parts and engines to Proton. Proton’s Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Tahir, who joined the company last December, reportedly said the company is not expected to fully turn around within a year though there are plans to expand in overseas market with an eye on the huge Chinese and Indian markets. ''These two markets, we can't ignore. China, we have tried...we have identified several parties in China,'' he told Kyodo News, adding: ''In India, we will start talking to several parties. In fact, they have approached us.'' He declined to name the parties. __________________ Email: nadepalma@gminsidenews.com "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried" -Winston Churchill "In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a Congress" -John Adams Last edited by Ming : 02-03-2006 at 09:24 AM.

02-03-2006, 09:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
nadepalma GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 5,630	Re: Proton to renew Mitsubishi alliance I guess this works out well for both companies. Proton most definitely needs some access to new technology. Now that the ASEAN countries are lowering tariffs among their members states it's getting more and more competitive out there for them. And Mitsubishi could certainly use someone to sell parts and technology to -- since it would probably help reduce the cost of parts/development as well as save them some money through economies of scale. On a different note, since Proton owns Lotus and Lotus Engineering, I would like to see the company survive so as to keep those UK operations running. Just my observation. __________________ Email: nadepalma@gminsidenews.com "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried" -Winston Churchill "In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a Congress" -John Adams

02-03-2006, 12:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenman923 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Drives: 2009 Acura TSX Posts: 2,632	Re: Proton To Renew Mitsubishi Alliance Any chance they will buy Mitsubishi?

02-03-2006, 12:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
oudidntkn0w 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Redford, MI (Detroit Area) Drives: 96 Monte LS, 3400 swap with performance cam Posts: 670	Re: Proton To Renew Mitsubishi Alliance mitsubishi's still around? __________________ All in the family: -08 G6 GT -07 Aura XE-6 (Mine) ) -08 Sierra Z71 -08 GP GXP "I'll tell you what's going on with our beer. They've sold it to the Japanese, who will change the formula and repackage it in square bottles that will only fit cupholders in Japanese cars." - King of the Hill GM: The global car company that's proud to be American!

02-03-2006, 04:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
yassir(snowman) 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,247	Re: Proton To Renew Mitsubishi Alliance that is my dads car in malaysia. i never saw a proton with an engine bigger than 2.0l. that car has 1.3l.

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02-03-2006, 08:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
asim Firebird Concept (the turbine one) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11,271	Re: Proton To Renew Mitsubishi Alliance Thats an ugly looking car... __________________ I'll make a new sig. Later.

02-03-2006, 09:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
PeterPuck 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 428	Re: Proton To Renew Mitsubishi Alliance Wow! The Proton is one of the worst-reviewed cars I've ever seen on carsurvey.org. The owners even hate the brand-new ones. http://carsurvey.org/manufacturer_Proton.html

02-04-2006, 03:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
redimpss5 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,627	Re: Proton To Renew Mitsubishi Alliance I'll take a patron..but not a proton!!

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