Proton Plans to Develop Higher-Performance Engines

4 March 2008

The Star. Malaysian automaker Proton Holdings Bhd is in negotiations with several foreign parties to develop its own high performance gasoline engines, and may produce diesels as well.

“Work is under way to explore the next 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines. We are in talks with several foreign parties and will announce something by mid-year,” [managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir] told reporters after the unveiling of the new GEN.2 yesterday.

Moving into higher-performance engines was a must for Proton to remain competitive, he said, adding that the national carmaker was also considering developing diesel-powered engines.

“The markets that we want to penetrate like India and China have high demand for diesel and for us not to have diesel engines incorporated in our cars would be a mistake.”