Proton to enter Europe

Proton to enter Europe

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian national car maker, Proton, said yesterday it was appointing distributors in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands in a bid to penetrate the European market.

Britain is the sole Proton flag bearer in Europe at present, making up 85 percent of the car's overseas market share.

Jamil Jan, the chairman of Proton -- or Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd. -- said the company was finalizing the appointment of national distributors in the four European countries where sales were to be launched by year-end.

Jointly produced by Malaysian parties and Japan's Mitsubishi group, the Proton has cornered 74.5 percent of the local market and was being exported to 18 countries.

Proton has already invited auto firms in the United States and European auto firms to supply component parts for its future models to reduce costs heightened by expensive Japanese parts, officials said.

French auto group Citroen is the only western manufacturer Proton has so far identified for collaboration in engineering and supply for future models, but firms in the United States and Germany were also being sounded out, they said.