The 2011 Japan Automotive Engineering Exposition (AEE) organisers hope that Proton would respond positively to bring Proton EMAS (Eco Mobility Advance Solution) at the Malaysian Auto Industry Exhibition (MAIE) which will be held within AEE at the same time.Read the full news by Yong Soo Heong from Bernama below.
JAPANESE AUTO SHOW ORGANISERS HOPE TO SHOWCASE PROTON EMAS
TOKYO, March 10 — Organisers of the 2011 Japan Automotive Engineering Exposition (AEE) in Yokohama, near here, from May 18 to 20 hope Proton will exhibit its Proton EMAS hybrid vehicle at the Malaysian Auto Industry Exhibition (MAIE) to be held within AEE at the same time.
The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan is organising the annual exhibition, which attracts about 70,000 visitors, including top auto industry officials and motoring enthusiasts.
Yoichi Kimura, Director of International Trade Fairs in the Trade Fair Department of the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), said the organisers hope Proton would respond positively given that there was now tremendous interest in hybrid vehicles against the backdrop of rising oil prices.
Hybrid vehicles use one or more electric motors in addition to an internal combustion engine.
In light of the political crisis in the Middle East and North Africa, crude oil prices have now shot up to US$105 a barrel, from less than US$84 per barrel, end-November last year.
Kimura said the EMAS, an acronym for Eco Mobility Advance Solution, made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show last year and had generated strong interest since the car had been promoted as Proton’s first global car.
The Italian-designed hatchback is powered by a 51 bhp 1.2 litre engine produced by Lotus Engineering capable of running on petrol, ethanol, methanol or natural gas.
Kohei Wakabayashi, an official also from Jetro’s Trade Fair Department, said Proton had indicated it would exhibit the Hang Tuah concept car at this year’s MAIE.
Asked whether Proton would also bring in other models in the “Pahlawan” or Warrior Series like Hang Lekir, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekiu and Hang Kasturi which was first shown at the 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show in December, he said the Malaysian car company had so far not made any indication.
Kimura said the MAIE in AEE had been instrumental in getting more Japanese companies to evaluate the capability and export quality of Malaysian automotive products.
For example, he said the Satria Neo hatchback had first caught the eye of a Japanese auto parts manufacturer in the 2007 exhibition and plans were in store for the import of these cars from the middle of this year after a series of negotiations.
He said the Satria Neo would be used as rally cars for Japanese rallying enthusiasts.
Kimura said since MAIE began in 2007 under the auspices of the Malaysia Japan Automotive Industry Cooperation (MAJAICO), initiated under the five-year Malaysia Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in 2006, it had provided an avenue for business negotiations between Japanese and Malaysian automobile and auto parts companies with a view of promoting exports to Japan as well as establishing technical tie-ups or joint ventures.
Jetro, he said, had been working with MATRADE or the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation to create better awareness among Japanese automotive circles on Malaysian automotive products.
At this year’s MAIE, some 11 Malaysian companies had indicated their interest although the organisers would be providing 20 booths.
“We hope more Malaysian companies would take part since they have everything to gain from the exposure and business negotiations, and especially with support from both Jetro and MATRADE,” he said.
Asked on the future course of MAJAICO now that the EPA had almost come to the end of its tenure, he said this would depend on discussions between the Japanese and Malaysian governments.
Besides the MAIE and business development consultations, MAJAICO also provides for the despatch of automotive technical experts from Japan to Malaysia, the creation of a automotive skills training centre and enhancing SIRIM’s parts testing centre and mould and die centre.
Jom komen!