Proton Credits China’s Geely With Raising Quality

Proton says the quality-improvement program that started with its linkup with China’s Geely has produced threefold gains.

The Malaysian automaker says the results of an audit performed by Geely, using an assessment system based on its Swedish subsidiary Volvo’s global scoring criteria, demonstrates the effectiveness of the partnership formed last June.

Proton says the improvements are vital as preparations get under way for the launch of its first SUV, based on the Geely Boyue, scheduled for year-end.

Initiatives for sales, marketing and quality improvement were executed as planned while testing for the SUV, the first model developed with Geely, was stepped up, Proton says.

Independent motoring journalist Paul Tan earlier reported a left-hand-drive Geely Boyue with its emblems hidden by tape was spotted undergoing testing in Malaysia. He says the local version will take time because no right-hand-drive Boyue exists and Proton must adapt the SUV for Malaysia’s RHD market.

Further improvements are being introduced at Proton and with the next audit scheduled to take place this month, it says it is confident of further improving its audit score.

Proton says that on the international scene, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Chairman Li Shufu announced he has acquired a 9.69% stake in Germany’s Daimler, making him the single largest shareholder of Mercedes-Benz and Daimler trucks.

“Proton could gain from it via its partnership with Geely, which owns 49.9% of the shares of Proton,” the Malaysian company says in a statement.