Dr Mahathir Mohamad has wrapped up the first phase of his maiden official visit to China as the seventh prime minister, after witnessing the signing of a joint venture in Hangzhou between Proton and China’s Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd that marks the national carmaker’s potential entry into the Chinese market.
Proton's parent company DRB-Hicom said in a statement that the venture includes establishing a production facility in China to assemble vehicles, and developing a network of dealers to market the Proton range in China.
The agreement also enables Proton to tap into Geely’s new energy technologies and to utilise its core technology platforms.
Proton is Mahathir’s brainchild, being the first national car project established in 1983 during his first tenure as the prime minister.
Now, Mahathir is looking forward to the partnership's expansion into the international market.
“Seeing what Geely has done, I think they have the capacity to produce an electric car together with Proton.
“I believe it will be sufficient for the Asean market and maybe other markets,” Mahathir said.
The signing ceremony between DRB-Hicom managing director Syed Faisal Albar and Geely’s president An Conghui (photo) was also attended by Liu Shufu, Geely’s chairperson.
Among the Malaysian representatives present were Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking and Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Mahathir was given a tour at the Geely Auto Experience Centre, showcasing the automaker’s latest hybrid model cars.
The premier was also given a test drive at the centre.
Proton is expected to launch its first jointly developed sports utility vehicle, which will be based on the latest model of the Geely Boyue, in the fourth quarter of the year.
During the press conference, Mahathir also expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the car, comparing it to the car which is his personal favourite, Tiguan.
“The car I like to drive most in Malaysia is the Tiguan, the German car.
“The ease of driving, comfort and all that is very good but when I drive Boyue in Malaysia, I find that the quality is approximately the same. There has been a tremendous improvement in the car produced by China and also by Geely,” said Mahathir.
The premier met with the Proton staff at Geely in a closed-door session before departing to Shanghai on a bullet train.
Tapping Alibaba’s expertise
It was a packed schedule for the Malaysian delegation in Hangzhou, as Mahathir led a visit to e-commerce company Alibaba prior to Geely before heading off to Beijing.
Alibaba founder Jack Ma first visited Mahathir in Putrajaya in July, and had extended an invitation to the premier to visit the company’s headquarters in Hangzhou.
During the media briefing, Mahathir also expressed his interest in tapping into Alibaba’s expertise as a major technology leader for the benefit of Malaysia.
“I would like congratulate you (Ma) and, more than that, I would to tap your innovative ideas so that Malaysia too can benefit from this modern technology.
“It opens possibilities of these technologies in so many ways. We have the power but applying the power depends on one’s ability to understand the power and to see how it can be used,” Mahathir said.
The premier also pointed out that Malaysia could benefit from these innovations, especially with the marketing of products locally.
“You have worked out a delivery system to speed up the access to information, data and all these things. I think it will empower full use of the power that is available to modern technology,” he added.
The prime minister was given a tour of the facility and held closed-door discussions with Alibaba executives. He was joined by Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and China’s ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian.
Looking ahead: Business dialogues
In Beijing, Mahathir is expected to hold several dialogues with Malaysian businesses and Chinese entrepreneurs.
Alibaba’s Jack Ma will also be attending the courtesy meeting between Mahathir and selected Chinese entrepreneurs from the China Entrepreneur Club.
The prime minister will be attending a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora and is anticipated to be joined by about 500 people for the event. -Mkini
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