GM still open to Proton tie-up

Posted Tue Nov 27 2007 8:08 PM by Ralph Hanson

Last week the ongoing talks between Volkswagen and Proton came to an end, leaving the door open for GM to step in and pick up where it left off. GM, as well as PSA Peugeot-Citroen, was initially in talks with Proton but VW quickly emerged as the most likely company to form an alliance with the Malaysian carmaker.

A GM official has now told reporters at Automotive News that the American giant has not ruled out interest in a possible alliance with Proton despite Malaysian officials earlier stating Proton is likely to go it alone.

“Never say never. But in the meantime, things have moved on,” GM’s Southeast Asian operations Chief Steve Carlisle said to reporters. “Probably by the time we talk again, things will have moved on some more.”

MotorAuthority