Chinese-backed global expansion plans tipped to spell a return of the Malaysian brand
Aside from the odd Persona survivor popping up at events like Festival of the Unexceptional and a few builders still running Jumbuck pick-ups, the Proton brand is very much forgotten in the UK, consigned to history along with one-hit wonders like Daewoo.
The Malaysian marque was once a significant presence here if not a massive seller, popular for its combination of value pricing and proven hand-me-down Mitsubishi running gear, while at one point it was even owner of Lotus, via its parent company DRB-HICOM.
Proton showrooms disappeared from the UK in 2014 in the face of forthcoming EU regulations which the old Mitsubishi engines couldn’t meet, but today Chinese car maker Geely – which formerly acquired Lotus from Proton – holds a 49.9% stake in the company and is keen to tap export markets.
The driver for this is said to be partly the lucrative business potential of the Thai market, but also the economic and commercial ties between Malaysia and the EU, which make it attractive to Chinese brands hoping to enter Europe. With many of the potential Asian markets being right-hand drive countries, it’s been suggested that export plans may well include a return to the UK.
