Interior Photos of Proton Perdana Limousine

 

The Prime Minister of Malaysia launched the new Proton Perdana last week for the consumption of the government officials and of course, himself and his deputy included. The car comes in both 2.0L and 2.4L version as it is in its previous life as Honda Accord. The exterior styling change is very mild, concentrating on the new front bumper and grille assembly while the trunk lid trimmings has been suitably updated. The detail change of the exterior can be seen in MMN previous post, HERE.

As for the interior, Proton has put its own emblem on the steering wheel while the rest is carried over wholesomely from the Alor Gajah's made Honda Accord. The instrument panel, centre console, gear panel and pretty much everything is familiar. Where Proton works their art is for the limousine version for the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

Similar in trend with Proton's previous limousine, the rear passenger compartment is isolated from the chauffeur. Proton has inserted the "dashboard panel" to the rear compartment housing the the airconditioning vent and perhaps the sound system too. It looks like the lower part of the dashboard as in the front of the car. There's no fancy gadget and extreme opulence here so perhaps this is just the initial mock-up as it is quite bare.The extended window panel is actually opaque, and it housed the speaker. The legroom is humongous.

The rear seat is strictly for two, and the arm rest panel houses all the controls, presumably for the audio and other comfort item. The seat and door trim are upholstered in two-tone theme. We are still trying to get the details of the extended Proton Perdana such as the detail dimensions and more photos but it does not seem to be possible. 

New Proton Perdana Revealed, Limo Included

Proton today has handed over the first batch of the new Proton Perdana to the Prime Minister in a special event, and set to replace the ageing outgoing model which has been in service since last decade. As the whole world know, the "new" Proton Perdana is a redevelopment of the previous 8th generation Honda Accord from the year 2008. The Honda Accord has been reinterpreted with Proton design touch which include new front grille, new front bumper with heavily chromed front bumper insert ( a bit like the facelifted large Saab) while the rear end retains the old bumper, but the inner reflector on the trunk lid has been removed (ala pre-facelifted US Accord) with the chrome bar intact and the license plate area has been heavily garnished with chrome too. 

For the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Deputy Prime Minister, Proton has stretched the 8th-gen Honda Accord by significant amount to be a proper limo. However, it is obviously an unseamless stretched job as the the different in height of the front door trailing edge and rear door leading edge can clearly be seen and it is matched with the splintered panel. We don't know how long the wheelbase is extended, but it looks as if it is more than 300mm. The chrome finish on the window surround is removed too.

Also unleashed on the same day is the standard wheelbase version for the new Proton Perdana for other government official use. The standard version is more akin to your cooking Honda Accord although it too receives the similar front and rear end updates. More details after the jump.

Petronas Patented Water Injection Engine?

Toyota last month openly said that it will buck the engine downsizing trend (and turbocharged) and instead will focus on developing an efficient large capacity gasoline via the optimization of Atkinson cycle, a knowledge it has honed to perfection in developing the pairing to its hybrid series. It was also mentioned in the source that Toyota will venture in the innovation of water/steam injection to enhance engine efficiency. Now this is breakthrough as engine typically breathes air and fuel, mixed for combustion.

Wow people said. It is indeed a novel concept with curiosity, as for the layman understanding, how can you ignite a fire and then spray water to it? Contradicting it may sound, but if you go to the SAE paper database, a place where all automotive engineers breath, eat and drink car, you'll found plenty of invention of water being injected into the cylinder. There's even a six-stroke concept.

What strike my eyes is the technology has also been patented by our local hero. Do you know Petronas has patented such technology years ago? Check it out here in Google Patent, Espacenet and SAE technical paper. While we don't know what Toyota technology is all about apart from injecting water/steam into combustion chamber, according to patent W02010036093 A1, Petronas novel internal combustion aim to maximise the heat generated by fuel combustion to expand water into steam which in turns utilized the heat that is otherwise wasted. The water expansion into steam exert the force in the power stroke instead of purely forced by the ignition of compressed air and fuel mixture. The low combustion efficiency currently occurring in our current engine results in un-burn hydrocarbon which goes to the exhaust line. There is an attempt to increase the combustion efficiency, but the high heat release in doing so could result in Nitrogen  Oxide (NOx) formation which started to happen at around 2000K combustion temperature.

In the normal internal combustion engine, of all the fuel combusted, two-third comes out as heat, which is then absorbed by the cooling system recirculating around the water jacket.  In a typical engine system, the jacket is located inside the cylinder block and cylinder head and it goes around collecting heat and dissipate it in the radiator system. Figure below shows the cooling jacket residing in your engine block, photos courtesy of RGBSI. In terms of energy, this is energy wasted.

In Petronas patent, water is injection post the fuel combustion and to capitalize on the heat via clever, patented system. In doing so, not only less heat is emitted as, well heat, it also will reduce the engine temperature when the excess heat is converted into energy. Energy conservation remember? So the cooling system potentially can be reduce, resulting in smaller radiator. The exhaust gas too is cooler and this in turn reduce the thermal loading applied to the exhaust manifold (also cylinder block and head) which means overall engine is subject to a reduced thermal stress. Of course there is an additional combustion load which would negate the structural savings due to thermal, but this can be optimized further, at least this my interpretation of all these things. The schematic shown on this patent of Espacenet is as below, you can go through the claim to understand the concept. It is far too long for me to read!

With the engine technology resides under Petronas umbrella has been sold to DRB HICOM, could this be one of it? Whatever it is, which ever way Toyota might be doing what it said in the news, you've got to know our locals has been there as far as innovation is concern. 

Disclaimer: All the items written are based on the information available in public domain i.e patent and open, paid automotive literature. 

DRB-Hicom Tightens Control of Lotus in China

DRB-Hicom has acquired Symphony Lotus Ltd, China Lotus dealership worth RM47.25 million, a move which tighten its control not only on the marketing of Lotus car in China, but also on the quality and delivery of the product over there. This is to ensure a strengthening of Lotus presence in China which is lucrative market with 21 million cars sold annually.

On June 11, DRB-HICOM, via its unit, Lotus Advance Technologies Sdn Bhd, signed a conditional share sale and purchase agreement with Symphony Lotus for the proposed acquisition. Symphony Lotus has one wholly-owned subsidiary, Beijing Lotus Cars Sales Co Ltd, which is a distributor of vehicles and wholesaler of car parts in China.

DRB-Hicom now has a bussiness in China, especially after the takeover of PETRONAS engine family at the end of last year. One of the engine in the package, the NE01 has been developed spesifically to be manufactured in China based on the deal made years before the takeover. The rest of the engine, including the old E01 and several other smaller engine are yet to enter the production phase if ever.

Source

P/S: I heard that NE01 not only being packaged into Proton cars, but also undergoing certain feasibility study to be fitted to Lotus bay. I wonder about the logistic, as the engine is well in progress to be manufactured and assembled in China.

Proton Past Patents - MSX, Sepang & NEF

It's Sunday night, and instead of chilling to perfection, yours truly was surfing the patent website in pursuit of several patent for work purposes. Lifeless isn't it? Anyway, in the middle of boredom I remembered of several Proton patent that rocked the internet back in 2004-2005. There are many more, including the main and component of Proton Satria Neo (SRM back then), Savvy (TRM during its inception), as well Exora. Some are patented in Korean patent website too. Anyway, instead of looking at what you can find on the road, lets look at something you either can't see, or worst still, seen as something else.

First up is the NEF engine, a V6 engine family that is listed USD597104, showcasing the aesthetic of the engine. Paultan did some coverage on this engine HERE, the range comprises of a modular 2.2L and 3.0L Supercharged V6 mill kicking some 300bhp@6,250rpm and 360Nm@4,500rpm for the latter. It was tested in Waja prototype sometimes back. It was fitted to the Proton MSX concept (world knew it as Lotus APX). Do you that Proton MSX, thanks to its all aluminium construction (VVA platform, an advanced hybrid of cast, extrusion and stamped aluminium hold together with a combination of rivet and adhesive) weights mere 1.5 tonne and projected to reach 270 km/h top speed? Porsche Cayenne surely can't run too far from this car if it is ever made.

RFOB View of Proton's V6 engine

This patent covers only the outlook. The technical innovations were not included. We can see from here the engine RFOB with its transmission fixing, FFOB with all the front end auxillary and side view exposing the placement of cylinder block, front cover, bedplate and oil sump, including the accessories too such as the oil cooler and things.

Side view, you can see the arrangement from oil sump upwards

Next up is the car that was fitted with the NEF engine. It is none other than Proton MSX, published in USD566619. To prove that this car is meant to be Proton instead of Lotus APX (oh well, as if the Waja side-mirror was not obvious of a clue), the aesthetic patented here bears the Proton logo elongated outline instead of Lotus circular item. After these years, it still look stunning. There was MMN old article about Proton MSX HERE, but as I worked a bit on this car so I don't dare to say much. More after the jump.

Proton officially acquires Petronas engine technologies

It has been so long and after so many false start, and finally it happens. According to Business Times Proton Holdings has acquired all seven engine technologies and 117 engine technology patent owned by Petronas. The acquisition was performed from Petronas Technology Ventures Sdn Bhd, a technology commercialization arm of Petronas for a sum of RM63 million. The acquisition was completed today, witnessed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

According to Datuk Seri Khamil Jamil, Proton will have immediate access to the Petronas engine family including the 2.0L and 2.2L in-line 4 engine, which is design-protected for both naturally aspirated and turbocharged application. It is unclear whether the patent and technology acquired  covers the other engine as well, as Petronas engine ranges from the small capacity for bike and snowmobile application right up to the 2.2L turbocharged unit which is the flagship unit.

Petronas engine journey started way back in 1996 with its technology partner Sauber Petronas Engineering AG. In 1998, the giant oil and gas company revealed its E01 engine, a high spesific output 2.0L engine with racing technology. Little the public knew that the engine has evolved into several variant, and grown into the fuel efficient commercial engine with reasonable power output.The 4 cylinder mill, codenamed NE01, was designed to have several engine displacement and can support both high pressure boost as well as naturally aspirated cylinder pressure option. It has variable valve timing and all-aluminium in its construction. By holding to all Petronas IP's too, Proton will now have direct access to the derivatives spawned from NE01 including the diesel version as well as the gasoline direct injection (source).

The engine is already well under testing under the hood of Proton Exora and Preve and set to be mass produced from 3rd quarter of 2013 onwards. The engine will find its way into Proton and Lotus cars, as well as other car as Proton is open for collaboration with other OEM as Petronas has previously has some agreement with the manufacturing parties in China to manufacture NE01 (source).

The journey that started in 1996, and grew to cover many engine type and sizes was halted in 2010. That was when Petronas called it a day as far as non-core bussiness is concern. Now that the engine is out in the public, and no longer shroud in secrecy, I am glad that engine now can see the day light and will start powering cars on our road. My stint there as a simulation engineer performing structural and CFD for intake manifold, exhaust manifold, cylinder block, cylinder head, water jacket, conrod and crankshaft will remain as one of those nice memories in life, a chapter which I have nicely close but vividly remembered.

For those technical geeks, and which to read more about Petronas engine technologies and know-how, you can view some on SAE pages linked here : http://www.sae.org/search?searchfield=petronas&typ=paper. You can also look around at simulation software conference proceeding, just so you know that these project was massively beneficial in developing the national engineering talents, and their fruitful knowledge is there for the whole world to see, and appreciated.

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Proton inked the collaboration with Honda

DRB-HICOM, the parent company of the national carmaker Proton has announced that it has reached an agreement with the Honda Motor to explore collaboration in the areas of technology enhancement, new product line-up, platform sharing as well as facilities sharing. The deal comes as a surprise as Honda has never been known to be linking up with people, except with Rover group sometimes back.

Details are scarce at the moment, there was not even a press release for the matter. The only confirmation obtained was the company announcement to Bursa yesterday. The only elaboration found are from market analyst, which mostly are textbook statement generalized for any carmaker collaboration.

Sources close to the company however is quite cautiously optimistic about the news. This is because this is not the first MoU the company signed and so far there is no concrete outcomes yet. Let me tell you something, usually after the initial collaboration intent has been signed, both companies will actively explored the possibilities. The sort of NDA signed will enable the release of data between companies.This involved the study of the platform and engineering data, among others, on how to synergize. Vendor assessment, product line-up overlapping, engine line-up identification will be tabled out for further decision. There is a possibility that they will find no scope to collaborate. Also, how does this news relates to the earlier rumour about utilizing Petronas powertrain?

What does it mean to you and me now? Nothing yet now. However, if Proton managed to work out a deal like Rover did decades ago, we could see a common platform between both brands common segment. Till then, dream on about getting a Civic-based Preve II and CR-Z-based Satria Neo!

PROTON to use PETRONAS engine?

PETRONAS E01 installed in Proton Waja

Fresh from the press, Berita Harian today said PROTON is exploring the use of PETRONAS engine in its revise line-up of cars. It is mentioned that the deal includes the purchase of the Intellectual Property Right of the engine as well, giving the DRB-HICOM-owned company a full ownership of the engine. The models to be fitted with this engine is claimed to be forthcoming Preve hatchback, Exora facelift and Perdana replacement.

There is some doubt about the news, as Berita Harian did not revealed any source, nor there is any interview excerpt to prove it. The engine in question also is the E01, which was revealed way back in 1998 and, although a class-act in terms of power output rivalling modern 2.0L engine, it is way behind in emission rating. 

What do you think about this, based on this limited information? Malaysia Motoring News is not at liberty to reveal more. However you can dig more in the internet to find out the whole range of PETRONAS engine, which extend all the way from the bike engine to the automotive engine. There's also news in China website mentioning something about the engine exhibited sometimes in 2009 which I could not find.

Proton new business plan to be revealed next month

DRB-HICOM has announced that it is planning to reveal Proton's new business plan next month in an attempt to turn around the national car maker. The news broke at Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accontants-Bursa Malaysia forum, by Datuk Seri Che Khalid Mohamad Noh, the Group COO of DRB-HICOM.

The move is dubbed as essential as Proton's problem can bring down the whole DRB-HICOM business, although it is highly diversified and drawing some RM4 billion in sales of automotive, motor an military product. DRB-HICOM is the assembler of many foreign brand.

Nothing has been hinted yet other the casual statement such as the necessity to come up with a car that market wants at a competitive price and also a re-look into vendor ecosystem. Such statement is nothing new really and since DSZ is at helm, vendor rationalisation has already taken place and competitively priced and wanted car such as Proton Saga BLM and Proton Persona has been launched since 2007. So, wait till next month then....

Syed Zainal to join Felda Global Ventures Holdings?

There's a whispering rumour within the industry that the outgoing Proton great top man, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin will join the top rank officials at the recently-listed Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGVH). The source said that Syed Zainal is brought in to support the group President and CEO Datuk Sabri Ahmad.

Syed Zainal was quoted as commenting that "Nothing has been firmed up yet". While at that he was also saying that he is keen to contribute his knowledge to the growth of the nation. 

Felda Global Ventures yesterday announced its plan to buy some 150,000 hectares of estate land within the next five years in tandem with its plan to emerge as the world leader in oil palm industry. At the moment, FGVH is the world third largest oil palm company by hectarage.

Is this true? Well, the industry rumours are rarely wrong the whispering usually starts from the truth or the intention. 

Source:STAR

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Win an IPAD when you signed up for ASTRO E-Billing

Proton sets to shut down R3 division?

There's a rumours circulating from Inspira tuners facebook that the R3 division is set for a closure after Raya.  While there's no further information available, the most sensible reason must the rationalisation of Proton's overall business under DRB-Hicom care. In a bid to cut cost (& loss), the non-core division or business must go. Make no mistake about it, motorsport is costly.

Anyway, this kind of move is really a typical one. Especially when the company has new owner or more so a new leader. And the consequences is, well, the intelligent working level that suffers. Those who works passionately and giving their all to deliver the product will now have to do something else, which might not be their interest. But this is the danger of sticking to the non-core business in any type of organisation. The niche department only exists during the good time. They will be shed away in no time at all in the difficult moment.

Many years ago, Proton axed major project with Lotus. The results, some aspiring young engineers gone out of job. In a foreign country some more. In the recent years, an oil and gas company shed its automotive powertrain division due to the desire to stick to the core business. As a results of that, many of the not-so-young engineers again have to look or job. Some decide to sell their soul to the money promised by some industry, some stay stubborn while some just don't care.

However, in light of all this, despite the appears on the losing side, it is actually a character building. Be it for the company, or be it for the person. It inculcates resilient. Top gun will always stay top gun. If DRB-Hicom thinks this move will make Proton earns better, just do it then!

Lotus unveiled Exige S & flagship store in London

The shop opening and sports car unveiling mark a new chapter for both Lotus and its parent company PROTON after being taken over by Malaysian conglomerate DRB-HICOM earlier this year. DRB-HICOM with its vast experience and presence in the entire automotive industry value chain, coupled with long-standing collaborations with other global automotive giants reiterated their commitment to drive this iconic British brand to greater success.

Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM and Executive Chairman of PROTON Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil said: “We can derive many synergies between DRB-HICOM, PROTON and Lotus; and we reaffirm our full and long-term commitment to raise Lotus to the next level of success. With a future of increased productivity and cooperation ahead, Lotus is destined to join the ranks of the great luxury performance brands of the world.”

The 170mph high-performance Exige S with a supercharged V6 engine caused a sensation when it was announced at the Frankfurt motor show last year. The first cars will begin rolling off the production line at the company’s HQ at Hethel, Norfolk, later this month.

Lotus Chief Operating Officer Aslam Farikullah said: “The car represents the very best of Lotus. Its aerodynamic appearance is race-track inspired, as is the interior. Every detail from the racing twin-piston front caliper brakes, to the glossy black wheels and lightweight aluminum bonded structure has the Lotus mark of excellence about it.”

The board of DRB-HICOM met with British Trade Secretary Dr Vince Cable on Wednesday, shortly before the store was officially opened by Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK, Dato’ Sri Zakaria Sulong. More after the jump.

Lotus' Danny Bahar sacked, in comes Aslam Farikullah

Lotus group today has confirmed the dismissal of Danny Bahar from his CEO position with immediate effect. The decision was made by the Board of Group Lotus plc following the results of an investigation into a complaint made against him by the company’s penultimate holding company, DRB-HICOM Berhad.

The Company today also announced the appointment of Mr Aslam Farikullah as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect. Mr Aslam, aged 51, has over 26 years working experience, most of which was in the automotive industry. He graduated from University of Bath, England with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Engineering. A British permanent resident, Mr Aslam and his English wife of 27 years have three children aged 26, 22 and 16.

Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM Berhad and also Chairman of Lotus said: “I would like to assure you that we remain committed to ensure the ongoing and future business operations of the Lotus Group as we take the Lotus Group to the next level to remain relevant in the global automotive industry. I look forward to bringing mutual benefits to not only DRB-HICOM and PROTON Holdings Berhad but also the Lotus Group and its employees as well as contribute to the growth of the British automotive industry.”

Our comment? Well, no comment.

Lotus CEO Danny Bahar suspended

Lotus CEO, Danny Bahar has been suspended from his job, according to Autocar. This is following the complaint about Bahar's conduct, as confirmed by DRB-HICOM.

DRB said the decision was made based on operational review but Bahar will be welcomed to return to his position if the investigation found no fault in his part. Group Lotus Plc also has confirmed the statement. DRB-Hicom statement said "Following an operational review, CEO Danny Bahar has been temporarily suspended from his role to facilitate an investigation into a complaint about his conduct made by Lotus' penultimate parent company, DRB-HICOM Berhad."

In Bahar absence, Lotus operational matters now has been handed to Dato' Lukman Ibrahim, Mohd Khalid Yusof and Aslam Farikulla. Rusman Zaihan the CFO will also be assisting.

Danny Bahar was supposed to in Monaco this weekend to attend the glamorous Gran Prix, but instead was called to Malaysia where he was given news of his suspension.

 

Datuk Seri Syed Zainal quits Proton?

The epitome of Malaysian company business cycle continues. Many Malaysian company has one particularly hobby: to launch a turn-around initiative or drastic re-strategy before abandoning it half-baked, half-success and most probably at the most three-quarter way. They prefer to restart from zero all over again, possibly giving them a breath of sense of working. Fake busyness maybe, or perhaps a sense of false achievement to start something fresh. Same stories perhaps is about to happen to Proton. MMN talked about this since February 2012 - refer HERE.

The strongest of all the rumors regarding Proton blew yesterday. It was said that Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin has tendered his resignation letter to Proton, effective by mid-year of 2012. While Proton official statement continues to deny such existence of news, it maybe a cover-up while waiting for the company to re-negotiate with the former Master Bumiputera CEO 2010 award holder.

Proton announced new chairman - Dato' Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil

Proton Holdings has announced the appointment of Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil as the new Chairman and Executive Director of the Group, starting on 19th March 2012. The appointment is made following the resignation of Khazanah's appointed Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Salleh who resigned last week, as per the terms and condition set upon the take-over bid of the DRB-Hicom Group.

At the moment, Dato' Sri Mohd Khamil is the Group Managing Director of DRB-Hicom Berhad since 1 March 2006. Prior to that he was in the senior position within the group as Deputy MD and Deputy Group Chairman. He started his career in August 1980 with Bank Bumiputera which he stayed until December 1989, before assuming Legal Practitioner until June 2001. Between July 2001 and prior to joining the DRB-Hicom in 2005 as the Deputy Group Chairman, Dato' Sri Mohd Khamil was a businessman.

Academically, Dato' Sri is Law graduate from University of London. He is 56 years old. For the moment, Dato' Sri also holds directorship of several public companies such as DRB-Hicom Berhad, Pos Malaysia Berhad, Bank Muamalat, Edaran Otomobil Nasional, HICOM Berhad, HICOM Holdings Berhad, Horsedale Development Berhad, Uni Asia General Insurance Berhad and Uni Asia Life Assurance Berhad.

Proton to revamp management team in March & DSSZ back to Perodua?

According to Malaysianinsider, Proton will retain its current management team until the transfer of 42.7% shares to DRB-Hicom is completed, which is expected to happen next month, said by Tun Dr Mahathir. Tun also said that there is no confirmation upon the return of Tengku Tan Sri Dr Mahaleel to Proton as a chairman, as at 23 February 2012.

DRB-Hicom initiate the purchase of Khazanah's shares in Proton back in mid January where is has offered to take over the 42.7% stakes in Proton, totalling RM 1.291 billion in monetary worth. Since then, there has been a rumours in the new management team displacing current Proton's top management, covered by MMN back in 21st January.

Meanwhile, Tengku Mahaleel left Proton is September 2005 after his contract was not renewed by Proton management at that time. Till that date, Tengku Mahaleel has succeed in, for the first time, establishing Proton's R&D facilities with adequate resources to develop the vehicles from conception to mass production as well as setting up the massive assembly facilities in Tanjung Malim.

On a different note, there is a whisper within the industry that a whole new shock is about to happen, and it mirrors the pre-September 2005 quite closely, albeit in inverse. Think about this date, and think about Tengku Mahaleel and Datuk Seri Syed Zainal. Still couldn't get it? Ok I'll be blunt here, while it has been strongly suggested that Tengku Mahaleel is set to take up a Proton's chairman role, little has been discussed about Syed Zainal movement. The latest MMN heard is that he could be back to lead Perodua!

If this is true, it is a shame that another national talent has been taken by foreign-controlled company, just like some GLC leaders in the past. The visionary Tengku Mahaleel, supported by engineering perfectionist of Syed Zainal could just be what Proton needs these days! But this opinion is, of course, from  a mere car blogger, and people in industry will prefer to label as an 'armchair expert'.

Khazanah Nasional divested Proton to DRB-Hicom

The wait is finally over. Khazanah Nasional Bhd has confirm that it has divested its interest in Proton Holdings Bhd worth RM1.291 billion. It is the biggest Khazanah divestment yet, for its controlling stake of 42.7% at RM5.50 pershare.

Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar said the deal is a significant milestone in a move to place the GLC in a more competitive footing. Yet the move is till regarded as nationalistic as the national car maker is still owned by Malaysian entity, as the DRB-Hicom is controlled by Tan Sri Syed Mukhtar Al-Bukhary, and Proton will have the access to global OEM technology through DRB lines of alliance especially on the global assembling and distribution of global OEM products. It could potentially do the contract manufacturing to increase the utilization of Proton manufacturing plant, which long has been under utilized. With the Pekan's assembly complex combined together with Proton existing Shah Alam and especially Tanjung Malim plant, there is a huge potential waiting to be unlocked.

The manufacturing arm could even be setup to stand alone, as a separate entity and can be goes for listing. This will turn Proton into somekind of multi-entity, with the vehicle development controlled by "current Proton" while the manufacturing arm is under other entity. Same goes for sales and service division.

There's a also a potential of Proton tapping into the manufacturing arm contract, by basing their new cars on the product that will then be produced in their facilities. Hence, Malaysian can finally get a world-class cars designed by world-class engineers with global quality excellence. 

The announcement today is what has been expected, since Proton and DRB-Hicom counter has been suspended today from trading. The buyer selection is however is not a surprise, as other bids are perhaps weaker in potential, or appeared to be too "foreign" to be selected. Among the other runner are MBO by Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi, consortium of Genii Capital and Sri Arumugam and even NAZA group has launched their own bid. 

Now that the sales has been finalized, can we start selling off the lost-making subsidary?