Soon there will be more VW than Proton cars on Malaysian roads
European auto giant Volkswagen AG (VOW.BE, VLKAF.PK, VKW.L) is considering to expand production in Malaysia, Bloomberg reported, quoting a person familiar with the matter.
The Germany-based automaker has sent senior executives, including members of the management board, to explore the possibilities of producing vehicles in a potential partnership with Proton Holdings Bhd.
Volkswagen's partner DRB-Hicom Bhd. last month agreed to buy a 43 percent stake in Proton, thus gaining control of two car plans in Malaysia with a combined annual capacity of 350,000 vehicles. Volkswagen's partnership with DRB-Hicom, which also makes Mercedes-Benz, began last year.
Volkswagen, which is trying to overtake General Motors Corp. (GM) as the largest automaker globally, has been focusing on expanding production. The company is looking to Southeast Asian markets by expanding output in Malaysia. Volkswagen's executives are said to find out whether the plants being visited are equipped to produce its vehicles - Bloomberg