Proton Looks to Future in Export Markets

As the sun sets on the global economic recession, a new chapter is opening for multinational corporations that have looked at the crisis as an opportunity. In the case of Proton, it is prepping itself for opportunities in overseas markets that would materialise once the global economic recovery begins in earnest.

"Following the success of the Exora in the domestic market, we are now planning to launch the MPV in the Indonesian market in July 2009, which has a sizeable middle class market and is predominantly an MPV market," says PROTON Holdings Berhad's Managing Director Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin bin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

Proton already has a strategic partnership with Zagross Khodro for the completely knocked down (CKD) assembly of the Wira and more recently the Gen.2 models in Iran. It has also entered into a business relationship with Youngman of China for the completely built up (CBU) supply of Gen.2 and Persona models, which are sold and distributed in China under Youngman's Europestar badge, potentially leading to CKD assembly operations.

In addition, Proton is finalising its India strategy by the end of the year.

“We are indeed excited with these prospects in making Proton cars available and more visible in the overseas markets as this will hopefully enhance our revenue," says Syed Zainal.

As such, Proton is aiming at doubling its total sales volume by 2010.

Well, Malaysians far and wide can only wish Proton all the best. It’s about time Malaysia’s automotive flagship corporation makes headway in the international arena.

Hopefully, Proton would grow from strength to strength and find itself on the FORTUNE Global 500 list of the best performing corporations in the world.

Hopefully, it would be soon.

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Addendum: Proton only needs one or two good models and good supply chain management to make it big overseas.
Look at how Toyota took over the Malaysian market with just the Toyota Vios and Myvi.
Granted that Toyota is already a leader in the world automotive market. Nonetheless, it didn't start that way.
Hopefully, Proton has learnt from its past mistakes to make real headway overseas. Also, Proton has to learn the lessons Toyota, Honda, etc had to learn in conquering markets.
Hopefully, Proton's new management learns fast.