New free trade agreement expected to clear way for Proton, Perodua in U.S.
With
American buyers just beginning to wrap their heads around inexpensive Chinese cars coming to market, a new free trade
agreement between Malaysia and the U.S. promises to add a few unfamiliar names to the likes of 'Geely' and
'Brilliance.' The pending FTA (expected to be approved next year) could double two-way trade between the U.S. and
Malaysia by 2010, paving the way for auto companies like Perodua and
Proton to find access to U.S. roads.
The agreement should likewise engender access to Malaysia’s marketplace for America’s domestic automakers.
(Pictured: 2006 Perodua Kenari)
[Source: The Associated Press via Forbes]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
seaotter 1:30PM (3/19/2006)
O.o.......
the saturn in malaysia? O.o
the dodge in malaysia?
the ford F-150 in malaysia?
interesting concept.
by the way, that is the Perodua Kenari , which is based on the Daihatsu Move.
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Jonathan 1:44PM (3/19/2006)
Perodua! A brand so bad that they actually refuse testing vehicles to some parts of the press (just ask Car magazine in the UK). It'd be funny to see them in North America.
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the friendly grizzly 2:09PM (3/19/2006)
To #2: yeah it would be, but on this board, there'd be plenty of folks praising before they even saw one. Same folks who condemn cars they have never driven or even seen, because of who makes them.
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david p. 3:36PM (3/19/2006)
Bring em' on!!! maybe after a few months of watching them break down or fall apart, americans will finally wake up th the mass invasion of asian junk and will return to american brands. toyota flunkies, just shut up. my sons tundra was towed out of here for the third and final time, 47k and the flimsiest piece of sh## in town.
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RamSport47 4:56PM (3/19/2006)
#3...exactly, that's why I don't have much faith in these....er....people
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whofan 5:04PM (3/19/2006)
#3 glad I`m not the only one who sees this. Thanks for the post guys.
I find myself defending the domestics more than I should and disliking Toyota even more. I didn`t want to be this way, but feel obligated somehow to do so.
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Rene Curry 4:44AM (3/20/2006)
From what I have read, Malaysia limits access to their own market and has domestic content rules. However they do allow non-domestic manufacturers if they export a high percentage of their vehicles.
So it looks like we are about to lose another one in the trade arena.
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Bob Damon 9:15AM (3/20/2006)
I've spent some time in Malaysia, driven and been a passenger in Perodua and Proton cars, read Blogs about them, and spoke with owners. The Locals know they are cheap, poorly engineered cars (improving) and not very reliable. I don't see how either company would ever have the funds to switch the cars from right-hand drive and add the safety features required to sell in the US. Even the newest Perodua, The Myvi, with a Toyota engine and transmission is a far cry from being a Toyota. If they somehow make it here, just say no.
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klaatu 11:05AM (3/20/2006)
Bob, sounds like GM should import Protons and Perudas and sell them as Chevies. Nobody'd notice any difference.
The Aveo is a Daewoo and while Daewoo cars were criticized when the South Koreans tried selling them in the US honestly, GM sells them now as "Chevies" and you hardly hear a thing about them; yet they sell.
My father once said that GM could take a Donkey, tatoo a Chevy bow tie on it's ass and it'd sell. He was right. But "the day" of GM selling crap is closing because the day of GM selling anything is closing.
Plus didn't I read recently about some high-up in Malaysia's government trashing the United States and essentially calling us every name under the book? Plus, isn't Malaysia one of the many "modern" countries where Islamo-fascists persecute people of other faiths?
We didn't want anything to do with South Africa under aparthide, yet we want "free trade" with Malaysia?!
We need to replace all of these idiots in Washington, not just Republicans but Democrats, too.
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Goodsoul2046 3:20AM (4/05/2006)
I would say this is good place to discuss on malaysian car industrial developement, I hope more of this sort discussion will help improvement Malaysian international car manufacturing industry. By the way I also welcome you to my new forum site, please feel free to give some ideas. Cheer~
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