|
Proton CEO Tengku Mahaleel has foreshadowed a flood of high technology
product from the Malaysian maker over the next four years as the company
moves into its next phase as a centre for design engineering and
manufacturing, not just an assembler of cars.
Speaking to Australian journalists in Sydney Tengku said the company was
currently designing a number of new cars and engines which will "drive
the Proton brand as a producer of cutting edge product with youthful design
and not just metal designed to go from A to B."
We are planning a total redefinition of the brand using the enormous
engineering resources we have at our disposal, including Lotus which
will ultimately inspire all of our new models," said Tengku.
"The Waja which we are about to launch in Australia is the first step in
our plan but the cars which follow will be much more adventurous and radical
with our entire model range set to be replaced by 2004," he added.
Proton has an 80 percent holding in Lotus, the famous British sports car
and engineering operation that has recently established a design centre in
Kuala Lumpur.
The flood of new Proton product will be inspired by Lotus with work
proceeding on projects including an advanced engine which will feature
the ability to de-activate cylinders to aid fuel economy without
compromising performance when it is needed.
Proton is also developing a new allaluminium platform which will be the
basis for more than one car type, utilising Lotus¹ extensive technology
resources as well as Proton¹s growing army of engineering talent.
Tengku said that Proton was in a holding pattern until its new
generation products come on line over the next three years.
"Once we have that product on the market we will forge a very different
image for Proton, as the manufacturer of prestige, world class high
technology automobiles designed to compete with Europe¹s best.
"We aim to be a developer of new automotive technologies and not just a
volume maker of low technology economy cars," he said.
"All of our future models following the Waja will have Proton designed
and engineered powerplants, drivelines and platforms
Tengku Mahaleel has been at the helm of Proton since 1996 and was voted
"Malaysian CEO of the Year" in 1999.
Proton was established in 1983 and started manufacturing cars in 1985
based on Mitsubishi technology. The Proton Waja is the first car designed and
built by Proton itself.
The Waja is expected to be launched in Australia towards the end of
September this year.
|
