Proton Holdings inks product collaboration deals with Mitsubishi

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd has today entered into a product collaboration arrangement with Japanese rival Misubishi Motors Corp.

The tie-up, involving three agreements between Proton Holding's wholly owned subsidiary Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd and Mitsubishi, enables the Malaysian carmaker to tap the technical expertise of its foreign partner, according to filings to Bursa Malaysia today.

Both parties have signed a development agreement to develop a new car model for Proton. At the same time, Misubishi, under a licence agreement, has granted Proton the rights to manufacture the Japanese carmaker's components and rebrand them under the Proton banner.

Third, an engineering services agreement will see Misubishi extending its expertise to Proton Holdings for the production of the Japanese firm's licensed products.

"At the same time, Perusahaan Otomobil has entered into an understanding with Mitsubishi in relation to product collaboration for the development of a new vehicle model for Proton. The understanding encompasses initiatives to be taken by both companies to improve both build and component quality for Proton vehicles.

"Concurrently, both companies shall explore possibilities on export and contract assembly wherein the parties commit to conduct feasibility studies on the said areas within three months from the date of signing," Proton Holdings said.

三菱自動車とプロトン社、三菱ブランド車の生産などで協業

三菱自動車はマレーシアPerusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd（以下プロトン社）と、プロトン社における新型車両の開発・生産に関する契約を締結したと発表した。
　
　三菱自動車はプロトン社における新型車両の開発を支援するほか、プロトン社は三菱自動車の車両をベースとした新型車をライセンス契約によって生産する。開発・生産分野の協業を通じて三菱自動車はマレーシア向けの事業を拡大する。

　両社は2004年に資本提携を解消したが、2006年にはプロトン社の新規モデル開発に三菱自動車が協力することを含む協業提携に関する覚え書きを締結していた。今回の提携内容以外についても、協業内容を検討していくという。