Mitsubishi Explains Technical Collaboration With Proton

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- The technical collaboration of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) Japan with Proton Holdings Bhd which led to the development of the Inspira is modelled on the Mitsubishi Lancer.

Other than the Lancer, no other Mitsubishi models currently distributed by MMM, including its recently launched vehicles Lancer Sportback and the ASX compact crossover will be based on this technical collaboration in the future, said Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) chief executive officer Tetsuya Oda.

In a statement today, he said while the Inspira was modelled after the Mitsubishi Lancer, it differed in a number of ways, with both having its own unique traits, allowing each respective vehicle to differentiate itself in the marketplace.

Each brand also catered to a different group of customer segments with a different set of driving desires and expectations, Oda said.

Exported to Malaysia and distributed by MMM, the Lancer is a completely built-up (CBU) unit, in which all parts and assembly standards have met Mitsubishi Motors' stringent global quality standards, he said.

In addition to being fully manufactured by MMC in Japan, the Mitsubishi Lancer is also designed and produced to meet the highest European (high-speed driving performance and handling), American (safety) and Japanese (vehicle built) quality standards, Oda said.

The Inspira, on the other hand, is assembled at Proton's facility in Shah Alam and will contain 40 per cent local parts within the year, he said.



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