Record vehicle Sales

Vehicle sales surged 13% to an all-time record high of 551,045 units last year as compared to 487,605 units in 2004.

Perodua's share of the total passenger car market increased (almost 3%) while on the other hand, Proton lost almost 3% as compared to 2004.

Overall, the share of non-national cars increased marginally to 22% of the total car industry from 21% previously.

Read related news here and here

TAGS: Proton Perodua Malaysia

Mitsubishi and Proton News

Different reporting styles can send different signals to the readers.

According to the Wall Street Journal yesterday, Mitsubishi Motor Corp ruled out any investment in Proton Holdings Bhd.

Some of you may recall that Mitsubishi sold its entire 7.93 % stake in Proton in 2004. However it still supplies parts to Proton.

Mitsubishi Motor president Osamu Masuko was reported as saying that they would to cooperate in some areas, "But such cooperation would not extend into a 'capital alliance'.

Today I read in the NST that: "Mitsubishi open to tech alliance with Proton."

Interesting!

TAGS: Proton Mitsubishi

New Minicar From Mitsubishi

This is the new "i" minicar model launched by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today throughout Japan.



Using a newly developed platform, the new "i" series includes 2WD and 4WD models and comes in a range of 8 body colors. A ninth color 'Pearl White' will also be available in March.

According to their press release, the car was developed as "an innovative Premium Small Car that successfully overcomes the tradeoffs traditionally associated with the category: design and comfortable interior space; comfortable interior space and impact safety".

The "i" is powered by a 3-cylinder MIVEC*1 turbocharged engine that uses an aluminum cylinder block.

TAGS: Mitsubishi mini car new model

VW Says No

I am sure all of you have heard the shocking news that Volkswagen AG has abandoned plans plans to form an alliance with Proton Holding Bhd. Quite contrary to what we had been led to believe (Read this post).

Volkswagen group CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder was quoted as telling analysts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on 11 January that the company had "specific ideas" about its relationship with Proton, "Unfortunately the Malaysian government, Khazanah and Proton had different ideas. Therefore what we wanted in the cooperation with Proton will not materialise".

However, he added that VW will consider "a few isolated projects ... to support Proton."

Following that news, Proton's share price went on a downtrend, falling almost 20%. As of today (2 pm) Proton was still the top loser on the KLSE with price falling 70 sen to RM5.65.

TAGS: Proton Volkswagen

VW Drops Proton Controlling Share Demand

Proton Holdings Bhd's share prices are up because investors see an impending tie-up with Volkswagen AG. This was the result of the news that Volkswagen AG had dropped its insistence on taking a controlling stake in the Malaysian car company.

Many analysts believe that VW’s about turn is due to its problems including falling market share, sales slump and its numerous boardroom battles.

Read the Star’s report


I would like one.

Happy New Year

Wishing all visitors to my Auto blog a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Early this year, I started this seperate blog just dedicated to Malaysian automotive industry news as well as other developments in the auto industry early this year and am quite happy with the response it has received.

This year was quite eventful for the auto industry with the AP issue dominating the headlines.
Read posts: The AP Issue, AP Issue Still Hot and Policy on AP from MITI.

This year also saw launches fo new car models.Most notable among these was the Perodua Myvi and the Proton Savvy. Each had its own supporters and detractors and generated a lot of debates on which one is better. Read my posts: Myvi Sets the Standard and Myvi Vs Savvy.

And did you know that there were 5 Malaysian car manufacturers and not two. In case you don't believe me, read this post: Another Malaysian Car.

Hope this new year is an eventful one for the new year.

I hope to see new innovations, beter designs, better safety features and more environmentally friendly cars on Malaysian roads.