Launch of Proton in Manila

Launch of Proton in Manila

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is to launch in Manila this week the first of his country's Proton car imported by a Philippines' joint venture auto firm, officials said yesterday.

Mahathir is due to leave for Manila on Saturday to launch the Proton Wira and return the next day, Malaysian officials said.

The car, shipped to the Philippines in a semi-knocked down form, is to be fitted with tyres and batteries in Manila, an auto source said.

Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last month launched the 1.4-billion-peso (US$58.3 million) joint venture set up by Malaysia's Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd., the listed manufacturer of Proton cars, and several Philippine firms.

Proton Philippines will undertake to assemble the car in 1997 at a plant to be built in President Fidel Ramos' northern home province of Pangasinan.