Government should encourage local cars, urges Proton chairman

Kuala Lumpur: The chairman of Proton, one of the leading national carmaker said recently at the prize distribution ceremony of Proton Design Competition 2015 that Malaysian government should provide more support and encourage the local carmakers instead of giving priorities to the foreign manufacturers.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed said that local carmakers also have the capability to compete with the foreign makers and proffer even better quality vehicles, but the government does not support them to that extent.

Read Also: Suzuki Malaysia stops its local production line after MOU with Proton

He said, “I think it is enough for the government not to encourage foreign cars even if they don't encourage Proton.”

Proton chairman expressed that the government of Malaysia is encouraging the foreign car makers more even though they have met all the conditions as per imposed by the government.

Tun Mahatir reported that Proton was in line to receive financial assistance from the Malaysian government to carry out its latest initiative of design and R&D activities in the country, however, the company is still awaiting the response from the government.

Proton itself took the initiative by using personal funds to support the venture of producing Hybrid and Electric cars in Malaysia.

Read Also: Proton Pick-up Concept Displayed Again in Malaysia

Proton chairman also said that Malaysia now has a team of skilled labour to build a car. The company has produced an electric car with a 313 Km charge range and it is a very big achievement for the company as well as the country. According to Tun Mahatir, the foreign imported cars are light and cheap and the company has to import certain parts which result in higher cost, but it is not easy for the company to do it without constant government support.