VW getting serious about Proton. Again.

After many months of deal / no deal, it looks like Volkswagen is ever closer to being a part owner of Malaysian automaker Proton, which, as you know, owns Lotus.
According to the Associated Press, VW is looking at conducting a pre-Christmas audit of Proton, a move that would indicate VW is serious about investing in the Malaysian company.

The story goes on to say that from its estimated $545 million investment, VW would get access to Proton's assembly lines as well as Malaysia's free trade agreement with Japan. VW could theoretically use Proton's plants to produce cars to export to Japan tariff-free. Proton would benefit from the deal by getting a much-needed cash injection.

[Source: The Associated Press via The Detroit News]