MALAYSIA’S national carmaker Proton on Friday announced it has inked an agreement to develop a new vehicle with its former Japanese partner Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
Under the ambitious scheme, Proton, which is in need of advanced technology and auto designs in order to remain competitive, will use Mitsubishi expertise to develop a new model, it said in a statement to the stock exchange.
It said the alliance would also allow the two companies to improve component quality for Proton vehicles, and explore options for exports and contract assembly.
more on » Malaysia Proton ties with Japan Mitsubishi Motors again
MEM Proton Super 2000 Rally Car was launched last August at Proton’s headquarters in Bristol England. The car has undergone a full rebuild by MEM ( Mellors Elliot MotorSports )in accordance with Super 2000 specifications and probably the only reaining commonality between this car and the road foing version of the Satria Neo are the door handles and headlights, while everything else has been strengthened, modified or switched.
Designed by Mellors Elliott Motorsport, (MEM), the new Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 rally car has just raised the performance bar for the rapidly expanding FIA Super 2000 rally series.
The concept was developed by using a combination of innovative engineering designs, the 25 years of experience of the team’s technical staff but, crucially, also the input from the team’s owner and extremely successful driver, Chris Mellors. The result is an astonishingly small and agile car which from the very outset was designed for the driver.
With an attractive and aerodynamic package for the front bumper, wings, rear bumper and rear spoiler complimenting the eye-catching Satria design, the Proton S2000 can achieve in full rally trim the smallest frontal area and the lowest roof height in its class even at rally ride height settings. Driver and Co-driver seat positions are fixed at the rearmost possible mounting points to maximise the car’s weight distribution but with the pedal box and steering column both adjustable to suit different pilots. The MEM rollcage design uses 35 metres of lightweight Chrome Moly tube together with strategic body strengthening resulting in vastly improved torsional bodyshell stiffness and a no-compromise safety cell for the crew. The cleverly designed side crash protection bars are uniquely shaped to aid driver and co-driver access into and out of the car.
more on » Super Rally Satria Neo S2000
We will soon seen Proton MPV on the road testing on Malaysia roads. There has been numerous rendered image or even sketch being circulated, nothing beats the actual car being carved out of clay from inside the Proton compound.
Get the full picture here.
The hood top a resemblance of Lotus APX, from side view it is sort of a taller Toyota Wish, and rear is like those Naza Ria. Sources stated that it will be launched in March 2009.
What do you think?
Proton Malaysia is developing a new, fuel-efficient hybrid car to beat rising costs and address environmental concerns, reports said Sunday.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told the state Bernama news agency he had already test-driven the car and urged the company to continue researching energy-saving technologies.
"The kind of car that all countries and car companies love now is the green car. Consumers will also be happy when they drive such a car knowing it saves fuel and does not pollute," the Star daily quoted him as saying.
"Such an effort by Proton will also assist the government in saving petrol and preserving the environment."
Hybrid vehicles, which deliver power by switching between a gasoline (petrol) engine and an electric motor, can save up to 30 percent on fuel costs but they are more expensive than conventional models.
more on » Proton develops Gen2 EVE hybrid car
Iran’s Saipa and Malaysia’s Proton signed an MoU on cooperation in the presence of Iran’s Industries and Mines Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian, IRNA reported.
The MoU obliges the two companies to initiate a unified strategy in design, development, marketing, sales, joint investment, using financial capabilities, as well as export and supply networks of one another.
“One of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s main strategies is promotion of ties, especially with Muslim countries,” Mehrabian said, naming Malaysia a leading Muslim country in science and technology.
The minister noted that of the 56 Muslim countries, Iran, Malaysia and Turkey are best situated to produce cars.
Taking advantage of the Muslim countries’ huge market has been underlined in the recent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference.
more on » Iran Saipa and Proton Malaysia JV
Back again the partnering issue, to have or not to have it sign & seal? Or a stock holder games in KLSC.
Check this news from AFP 2 days ago.
Malaysia’s national carmaker needs to hook up with a foreign company if it is to compete in the automotive industry, the trade minister said according to Sunday news reports.
Muhyiddin Yassin said such a partnership would help Proton expand into overseas markets, and thrive in the long term.
“I don’t think we need to be too nationalistic in supporting Proton without taking into consideration what the business is all about,” he said according to the Star daily.
“Proton needs to grow beyond the boundaries of Malaysia, where it needs to be competitive, form partnerships, have good technology and brand name,” he said.
more on » Proton need a foreign partner? Again!!
