Proton group managing director, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir has been interviewed a lot by the media recently and revealed some Proton's future plans. Here is the interview summary I found after searching through websites and blogs.
- Waja 2010 - rebadged eighth generation Mitsubishi Lancer
- Perdana 2011 - done through collaborations
- Persona 2012 - designed by Italdesign-Giugiaro SpA
- Chinese automaker Youngman’s Europestar brand is building a new GEN2, engineered by Lotus. Proton will own this new GEN2’s platform.
- Proton’s new model investments will be in core models. Models with lower volumes will be through collaborations.
- The Campro’s lifecycle will end in 2014, a new engine will replace it.
- Proton will be consolidating its plants to Tanjung Malim in 3 years time.
- Proton plans to continue a typical Japanese 5 year lifecycle for all its products, but this could go to 7 years at most.
- in talks with Chinese company collaborating on an sport utility vehicle (SUV)
- will look into the hybrid car segment
- in talks with South Korean battery company and an electric motor corporation
Holy cow! The new Proton Persona will have Italian root. I must admit under Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir's 4 years leadership so far, Proton has improved and ready to go forward.
