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.
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.
