PROTON Holdings Berhad (“PROTON”) the ultimate holding company of Lotus Group, announced that it has signed a Joint Venture (“JV”) Agreement with Lotus Group International Limited, United Kingdom (“Lotus Group”) and Goldstar Heavy Industrial Co. Ltd. (“Goldstar”) for a possible business expansion of Lotus cars in the People's Republic of China. The collaboration seeks to accelerate the development of Lotus cars in the premium sports segment in China, leveraging on the incentives offered by the Fujian Provincial Government. Both PROTON and Lotus Group are subsidiaries of DRB-HICOM Berhad.

Signing on behalf of PROTON was the Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Chairman of PROTON and former Prime Minister of Malaysia and witnessed by Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON. Signing on behalf of Lotus Group International Limited, United Kingdom was Mr Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer and witnessed by Mr Rohime Shafie, Director of Lotus Group and Chief Financial Officer of PROTON; and signing on behalf of Goldstar was Mr Zheng Qianghui, Chairman of Goldstar and witnessed by Mr Zhai Wenliang, President of Goldstar.

Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah said “The JV Agreement will see the establishment of a new JV Company for the purpose of undertaking research and development (R&D) activities in the use of efficient and advanced technology. The JV Company will then produce and sell Lotus branded passenger cars as well as provide after sales services in connection with its products in the People’s Republic of China.

“The automotive market in China is the single largest in the world today, and is still growing, therefore it is only natural for an established iconic company like Lotus to embark upon the possibility of expansion, venture into the market and seek the available opportunities, in light of the keen interest shown by the many enquiries received thus far. It is very difficult to ignore the market and Lotus will fill the gap in providing a lifestyle alternative to the growing demands of the affluent and market conscious local community,” Dato' Harith added.

"On April 7, 2015, Lotus announced 55% increase in car sales for its 2014/15 financial year, compared to the previous year with 36 new dealers appointed during the period 2014/15. And China has appeared to be the top key growth market for Lotus exports and is expected to grow at a very fast rate. Lotus Group is excited about the opportunities of this new Joint Venture," Jean-Marc Gales commented further.

Lotus will continue to manufacture its current range of Lotus sports cars (Evora, Exige and Elise) exclusively at its HQ in Hethel, England.
Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton) CEO Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah says they are confident of recording sales of between 12% and 15% this year, based on the brisk sales enjoyed by its latest model, the Iriz. 11,000 units of this model have been sold throughout the country to date since its launch in September.
Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton) is confident of recording sales of between 12% and 15% this year, based on the brisk sales enjoyed by its latest Iriz model.

Its Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said 11,000 units of this model have been sold throughout the country to date since its launch in September.

"Almost 30% of the sales were done in the southern region while the balance came from the Klang Valley and other regions," he told reporters after closing a Proton carnival today.

Abdul Harith said sales was expected to pick up in the next few months with the Hari Raya festival around the corner.

"The Iriz is very saleable as it has technological characteristics only available in continental cars.

"But consumers only pay half of what they would pay for a continental car," he said.

Proton, this year is targeting sales of 130,000 units against 115,000 units sold last year.

As for short-term plans, Abdul Harith said the focus would not be launching new models but push the sales of the Iriz to the optimum.

"There is a product life cycle. We develop products from the point we launch the products until the end of the product's life. It may take about five to seven years for us to come in with another new car model," he said. – Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: In light of the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which comes into force today, Proton Holdings Bhd has announced the new prices for its models, with reduction of up to RM1,475, or 3.25%, per unit on selected variants.

The new on-the road prices include all models under the Proton family comprising the Saga, Persona, Inspira, Staria Neo, Exora, Prev, Suprima S and Iriz, said Proton in a statement here today.

All these prices have taken into account the six per cent GST and are the on-the-road prices.

"Consumers can now look forward to not only value-for-money cars but cars with enhanced quality and safety features.


"For example, now consumer can buy a Proton Saga from as low as RM33,242.40 or a Prev 1.6L Turbo at RM61,023.46," said its Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah.

Proton said as the only full-fledged car manufacturer in the region, it has always given its full dedication in meeting its role to serve the nation,  especially in manifesting the objectives of the GST.

One fact that should not be ignored is that even with such reduction in pricing, Proton has enhanced the values of its products, through its safety features.

This further reiterates Proton's commitment to further enhance its products and services on all levels and offer Malaysians safe, good quality and value-for-money cars.

For further details of all variants, visit PROTONs website at www.proton-edar.com.my