The Proton issues are getting hotter by the day ever since the famous Tg. Mahalel's interview when he bashed the government about the AP. Then the Tun delivered comments which made Rafidah cried. The market reacted positively to Proton's share price after Tg. Mahalel decided to resign from the company. It then picked up paces after the news that VW signalled its interest in Proton.
Paul Tan wrote something about VW renewed interest to take on 50% + 1 shares, which effectively take management control of the company. I seriously believe that if VW is this serious about getting more than 50% interest in Proton (previously they were interested to take 30%), then its primary objective is to capture the Proton's jewel - Lotus UK.
No doubt that Proton will benefit from VW tie up. Their technical assistance will greatly improve the overall quality of Proton cars. Proton has never fully utilised Lotus to improve its own marque. Maybe there is something in Lotus that misses Proton's eye, that VW is focusing on.
At one time, Honda owns 20% of Rover UK. Then the parent company sold the remaining 80% to BMW and Honda was furious. BMW's primary objective was to get the 4x4 technology and what's better than to get them from the best of the best - Land Rover. When BMW sold the company, it took with them the Land Rover technology (which they use to produce the X3 and X5) as well as the Mini Cooper brand - the 2 jewels in Rover marque then. Rover never recovered its glory and time can only tell what Rover will be in the future.
The story is almost similar to what we can see in Proton. Proton is popular in Malaysia and many buy them because it is a Malaysian car. It's almost the same story with Rover then, it was the darling of the British auto industry and the British loved them. Furthermore, the Mini and Land Rover are legendary in and outside UK.
We hope that this will not be the case for Proton.
Whatever was said about Proton, to many of us, it is a symbol of pride that we can do what others have done - the essence of "Malaysia Boleh". Those who are (and was) in the auto industry in Malaysia knows exactly what I mean. Many laughed and some made derogatory comments about the efforts Proton and Perodua have made. It's true that we have not reached that level where we can be a global players, but those efforts are steps that were necessary to take in order to achieve many great things.
Perodua seems to benefit from the tie up. Let's hope Proton can achieve greater heights with this move.
...and for me, I'll keep Proton in my stock-to-watch list, and grab some when the time is right...
Paul Tan wrote something about VW renewed interest to take on 50% + 1 shares, which effectively take management control of the company. I seriously believe that if VW is this serious about getting more than 50% interest in Proton (previously they were interested to take 30%), then its primary objective is to capture the Proton's jewel - Lotus UK.
No doubt that Proton will benefit from VW tie up. Their technical assistance will greatly improve the overall quality of Proton cars. Proton has never fully utilised Lotus to improve its own marque. Maybe there is something in Lotus that misses Proton's eye, that VW is focusing on.
At one time, Honda owns 20% of Rover UK. Then the parent company sold the remaining 80% to BMW and Honda was furious. BMW's primary objective was to get the 4x4 technology and what's better than to get them from the best of the best - Land Rover. When BMW sold the company, it took with them the Land Rover technology (which they use to produce the X3 and X5) as well as the Mini Cooper brand - the 2 jewels in Rover marque then. Rover never recovered its glory and time can only tell what Rover will be in the future.
The story is almost similar to what we can see in Proton. Proton is popular in Malaysia and many buy them because it is a Malaysian car. It's almost the same story with Rover then, it was the darling of the British auto industry and the British loved them. Furthermore, the Mini and Land Rover are legendary in and outside UK.
We hope that this will not be the case for Proton.
Whatever was said about Proton, to many of us, it is a symbol of pride that we can do what others have done - the essence of "Malaysia Boleh". Those who are (and was) in the auto industry in Malaysia knows exactly what I mean. Many laughed and some made derogatory comments about the efforts Proton and Perodua have made. It's true that we have not reached that level where we can be a global players, but those efforts are steps that were necessary to take in order to achieve many great things.
Perodua seems to benefit from the tie up. Let's hope Proton can achieve greater heights with this move.
...and for me, I'll keep Proton in my stock-to-watch list, and grab some when the time is right...
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