Malaysian car maker Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd. (Proton), is keen on buying a car manufacturing plant in Indonesia which will allow the carmaker to qualify for incentives under the Asean Free Trade Area agreement, Dow Jones said, citing a local news report.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Proton’s chief executive officer Mahaleel Ariff reportedly said Proton currently owns a marketing firm in Indonesia with local partners, but he didn’t elaborate on the Indonesian plant.


Further, Mahaleel reportedly said, Japan’s Mitsubishi group hasn’t offered to sell its car manufacturing plant in Adelaide, Australia to Proton but he said if approached Proton will consider an offer to buy the plant.


Last week, citing Mahaleel, Australian press reports said Proton was interested in acquiring the Australian plant, Dow Jones noted, adding that Proton began operations in central Selangor state in 1985 with technical and engineering expertise provided by the Mitsubishi group.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now