Do we need a new national car plan ask wary analysts

Timely takeover: Geely’s high-tech plant in Baoji, Shaanxi province, China. Proton’s poor brand perception has resulted in lagging sales and losses which led to Geely acquiring a 49.9 stake in Proton Holdings Bhd last year. The takeover by Geely, which owns Volvo, was a welcomed move and considered long overdue by some analysts.

PETALING JAYA: A feasibility study on the need for a new national car project should be conducted before embarking on the costly project, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association.

“A thorough study should be done before starting a new national car project. We have been down this road before, and not many countries have national car projects,” said president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.