The Malaysian Prime minister has said he wants to see ‘national car maker’ Proton look for an alliance with another international automaker.
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He spoke this weel at the launch of the Exora, the company’s new multi-purpose vehicle.
“Proton has to become a company that is more competitive to ensure its survival in the automobile industry in the 21st century,” he told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“All options must be considered for the national good. For this, Proton must look into having a strategic alliance to produce vehicles that are fuel-efficient and eco-friendly,” he added.
Late last month, Detroit Electric announced it would produce and market a full line of pure electric vehiclesin the US, UK, EU and China from 2010 by integrating its patented electric drive systems into Proton vehicles.
Proton has previously explored alliances with Volkswagen and GM but talks ended late in 2007 after terms could not be agreed.
In February, the Malaysian carmaker posted a loss in the three months to the end of December on weaker vehicle sales and higher material costs.
Proton said it posted a loss of MYR74.7m in its fiscal third quarter compared with a net profit of MYR10.3m a year earlier. Nine month net profit came to MYR21.1m against a loss of MYR32.9m previously.
Proton said the third-quarter results were affected by the financial and economic crisis and the depletion of volume in its main markets.
