Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Malaysia's major automobile manufacturer Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) have signed a memorandum of understanding for wider areas of corporation between the two companies.

The formal signing was witnessed by Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry.

The agreement is expected to help MMC expand its business in Malaysia, above its current importing business of CBU vehicles from Japan.

Meanwhile, Proton will be able to diversify its vehicle range and accelerate the effort to achieve better quality and manufacturing process.

MMC currently supplies various levels of components, including engine and transmission, to Proton for vehicles such as the Iswara, Wira, Satria, Arena, and Perdana.

Proton's first car, the Proton Saga, introduced in 1985, was manufactured with intensive collaboration between Proton and MMC. MMC had sold its 7.9% equity in Proton on 9th March, 2004, although it continues to supply component technology and parts to Proton.

The cooperation between MMC and Proton is expected to contribute positively to the development of Malaysia's automobile industry, under the terms of the Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement signed by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the 9th Asean-Japan Summit last December.

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