Geely, Proton to set up joint venture for expanding global market

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Malaysian car manufacturer Proton on Saturday agreed to establish a joint venture to deepen their cooperation in new energy vehicles and promote Proton cars in global market.

Geely and Proton will each hold a 50 percent stake in the joint venture. The new company will have a comprehensive system for motor vehicle developing, purchasing and producing.

Detail of the agreement, such as market development plan, car models and plant location, still needs further negotiations.

While Geely is willing to help Proton with innovation and market expansion, it is also expecting to tap the Southeast Asian market through this cooperation, according to Yang Xueliang, spokesperson for Geely.

Last year, Geely acquired 49.9 percent of Proton from Malaysia's leading conglomerate DRB-HICOM that owns 100 percent of Proton.