TOKYO: Proton Holdings Bhd, the national carmaker, is negotiating with several Japanese car manufacturers on the prospects of future collaborations, Proton Chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday.
However, any strategic collaboration was unlikely to include Mitsubishi, one of the leading japanese car makers, said the former prime minister.
"We are looking at other Japanese automotive makers. Right now we are cooperating with Honda," said Dr Mahathir when responding to a question from a Japanese journalist on whether Proton would continue its collaboration with Mitsubishi.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir, who is also Proton founder, delivered a keynote address at the seminar themed "Investment and Trade Opportunity in Kedah."
"Proton's performance can be improved and we will look closely at how we can continue to export our cars," he said.
In October 2012, Proton entered a collaboration with Honda Motor Company Ltd to explore collaborative opportunities in technology enhancement, new product line-up and sharing of vehicle platforms and facilities.
Following the collaboration, the second generation Proton Perdana was unveiled in December 2013 as the successor to the original Proton Perdana.
Dr Mahathir also said the Malaysian automotive market was small and in order to expand, Proton would have to concentrate on exports.
"We are going to look closely at the countries that we can export our cars so that the production can be increased as we have a big production capacity, which is not utilised," he said.
He said Proton would like to invite Japanese automotive companies to come to Malaysia as Proton itself could offer quite a big part of its production plant to any investors who would like to produce cars in Malaysia.
Earlier, in his keynote address, Dr Mahathir said Japanese car makers could look at Kedah where an automotive hub was being planned.
"In Kedah, Japanese investors can benefit from the good labour force and the supply of rubber materials from both Malaysia and (neighbour) Thailand," he added. - Bernama
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