Proton recalls top model amid scandal

Proton recalls top model amid scandal

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian auto manufacturer Proton said Wednesday it would recall for inspection all 6,210 Proton Perdana models produced in 1995 following a cover-up scandal by its manufacturing Japanese partner Mitsubishi.

Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd. (Proton) said it had been advised by Mitsubishi Motors Corp. that the "initial production of 207 lots of Proton Perdana models manufactured in 1995 may be affected."

Company officials said one lot represented 30 units.

It urged owners of the 1995 Perdana models to send their vehicles for inspection at an authorized service center "as a precaution and as a reflection of our commitment to customer satisfaction."

"The inspection is to determine any irregularities in the (engine's) dust cover that forms part of the lateral lower arm assembly," Proton said in a statement.

"If there is an irregularity, the component will be replaced at no charge. Other Proton models are not affected."

The move followed the scandal in Japan faced by Mitsubishi Motors over a cover up of defective parts that subsequently required it to launch a huge recall exercise.

Mitsubishi Motors has since announced the recall of more than 700,000 vehicles worldwide at an estimated cost of 7.5 billion yen (US$70 million).

The Perdana model, which started production in 1995, is based on the Mitsubishi Galant, with the engine and transmission parts supplied by the Japanese carmaker.

Mitsubishi Motor and Mitsubishi Corp. own a combined 16 percent in Proton.