Proton and Honda Sign Collaboration Agreement
Discussion
See links for details.
http://paultan.org/2012/10/29/proton-and-honda-ink...
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10...
Looks like a good deal for DRB-Hicom and Proton.
What does this mean for Lotus?
Lotus will benefit from a strong parent company if Proton does well out of this new development. It is currently unknown if Honda will have any direct involvement in Lotus, but the deal has only just been announced. Honda has a good reputation in sports cars (nsx and new nsx) and engine development.
http://paultan.org/2012/10/29/proton-and-honda-ink...
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10...
Looks like a good deal for DRB-Hicom and Proton.
What does this mean for Lotus?
Lotus will benefit from a strong parent company if Proton does well out of this new development. It is currently unknown if Honda will have any direct involvement in Lotus, but the deal has only just been announced. Honda has a good reputation in sports cars (nsx and new nsx) and engine development.
? DRB already has interests in multiple organisations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRB-HICOM so why would that deal impact Lotus?
I think this deal is different. DRB-HICOM assembles cars in Malaysia for Honda, Isuzu, Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.
Honda will now be strategic partner with Proton. DRB-Hicom and Proton will expand Honda assembly but there will be much more to this collaboration. See quote from http://paultan.org/2012/10/29/proton-and-honda-ink...
"Under the agreement, Proton and Honda will explore collaboration opportunities in the areas of technology enhancement, new product line up, platform and facilities’ sharing, the statement said.
It added that the agreement signifies the potential of a long-term strategic collaboration between the two parties, and DRB-Hicom stated that having Honda as the foreign strategic partner will provide Proton and the DRB-Hicom Group with the opportunity to grow as an original equipment manufacturer.
No details of the collaboration were announced, but expect more details to emerge when DRB-Hicom reveals its business plan for Proton next month."
I don't know how much impact, if any, this new collaboration will have on Lotus.
Honda will now be strategic partner with Proton. DRB-Hicom and Proton will expand Honda assembly but there will be much more to this collaboration. See quote from http://paultan.org/2012/10/29/proton-and-honda-ink...
"Under the agreement, Proton and Honda will explore collaboration opportunities in the areas of technology enhancement, new product line up, platform and facilities’ sharing, the statement said.
It added that the agreement signifies the potential of a long-term strategic collaboration between the two parties, and DRB-Hicom stated that having Honda as the foreign strategic partner will provide Proton and the DRB-Hicom Group with the opportunity to grow as an original equipment manufacturer.
No details of the collaboration were announced, but expect more details to emerge when DRB-Hicom reveals its business plan for Proton next month."
I don't know how much impact, if any, this new collaboration will have on Lotus.
I would tend to assume that the more DRB buddy up with other companies on projects, the less Proton will rely on stand alone vehicles that have and need Lotus Engineering content, which could negitively affect Lotus.
I seriously doubt we will be seeing Lotus Honda Civics, Elises with Honda engines or Esprits built on NSX platforms either.
I seriously doubt we will be seeing Lotus Honda Civics, Elises with Honda engines or Esprits built on NSX platforms either.
Edited by WayneB on Monday 29th October 18:07
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