Perodua, Proton to ink pact by early 2012

RAWANG: Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua (Perodua) expects to ink a collaborative agreement with Proton Holdings Bhd on certain aspects this year or early next year.

"There are a few areas that we are trying to collaborate. They are still at discussion stage. I think we are happy with the items. We will make the announcement on a memorandum of understanding this year or next year,” said managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.

"We have had meetings at the highest level. This is a strategic
collaboration for both parties and will benefit the shareholders," he told Bernama in an interview.

He also said that Perodua's stance on the merger with Proton had not changed. "We are against the merger. We have our own plans, going forward," he added.


Aminar also said that Perodua would announce details of the electronic automatic transmission (EAT) plant in the next one or two months.

According to him, the company would reveal details on the equity structure of the plant and its exact location.

"We are setting up a joint venture. It’s still in discussion. We’ll make announcement on the equity structure of both Perodua and our Japanese partner (Daihatsu) as well as the location of the plant in the next one or two months, whether it will be in Selangor or outside Selangor,” he said.

Aminar said Perodua was also discussing on whether the plant would be constructed in phases or at one go.

He also said that at least RM200 million would be invested on the factory that would produce for both the domestic and export markets.

Construction is expected to take off next year, he added.-Bernama