Proton–Nissan JV in the making for India?

One major market entry that we have our eyes set on since last year is Proton. The Malaysian Giant, more popularly known for its Lotus connection, is finally set to drive on the Indian Streets.

The rumor mill went on steroids when the company's MD Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said Proton has finally identified the JV partner and is negotiating the contract assembly deals.

At the launch of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and Asia-Pacific Rally Championship Mohamed Tahir said -

India is a very important market for us, we will be there. It is just going to take more time before we finalize (our strategies) and sign the agreement. We are going to present our plan to the board, once it is approved, we will announce it. We are in discussions with the government and hope to finalize the plan within this quarter

He didn’t divulge any details on the product portfolio. But we are guessing the company will enter with the following models:

• Savvy: An Entry level hatchback
• Saga: A Subcompact sedan
• Exora: A MPV

Once this portfolio sees success, the global car EMAS suited to Asian conditions will be making it to the Indian shores.

The company’s ambitions will further receive a boost from the Free Trade Agreement that both the countries – India & Malaysia have signed to boost the annual bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2015.

Source - autoevolution.com