Air Asia is the next Proton of Malaysia.
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Air Asia is the next Proton of Malaysia.
Tony Fernandes teams up with Renault to produce sports vehicle
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has teamed up with European car
maker Renault to design, develop and build future sports vehicles including
sports utility vehicle (SUV) and city cars that are affordable to the mass
market. The first car will roll out from the production line in 2015.
Fernandes' Caterham Group and Renault ASA unit, Automobiles Alpine
Renault company, signed a deal in Paris yesterday in which both parties
would have equal 50:50 equity stake in a new joint venture known as The
Socit des Automobiles Alpine, to design, develop and build future sports
vehicles.
“Asia will be a big part of this investment and there will be two
manufacturing hubs, one each in Europe (Dieppe Plant in Normandy in
France) and Asia (in Malaysia). We will work with a factory (Naza Motors
plant) in Malaysia and use the Malaysian auto (support) chain,'' he told
StarBiz from Paris yesterday.
He added that “we will create jobs in Malaysia and the investment will be
happening as early as next year. We will start building from 2013 and build
cars that are affordable to the mass market. The cars will be sold in Asia
and Europe.''
From airlines, Formula 1 to football, Fernandes never fails to amaze and
this time he has got a reputable player, Renault, whose CEO and chairman
Carlos Ghosn , is very well known and respected in the global auto industry.
Fernandes said the venture into Formula 1 years ago by Caterham was not
just about going for the races but also about making cars. In fact, making
cars is also his “dream'' and he expected to realise that by 2015.
A report said the first car, the CT02, was expected to roll out of the
production plant in 2015 and Fernandes said the Malaysian version would
be a completely knocked down (CKD) with local parts to ensure a lower
tax.
Renault and Caterham already have a business partnership as the French
carmaker provides engines for the Caterham F1 team.
He declined to say how much investment was required but did say that
“today we are becoming a car manufacturer and F1 has been a useful
marketing platform; and we now have a great platform to make cars.''
As to teaming up with Renault, he said: “What a fantastic partner we have
for a small company from Malaysia and we are very excited that an icon
like Renault believes in us as many people had tried to partner Renault. I
and (Datuk) Kamarudin (Meranun) are excited about this new venture.''
Ghosn said in a statement that “this innovative partnership with Caterham
embodies a longstanding ambition: the creation of a sports car with the
Alpine DNA. It carries both opportunities for the Dieppe plant and the
development of its historic knowhow.''
Fernandes added in a press release that “I have not felt as excited about a
new venture since I launched AirAsia in 2001. Many people doubted us 11
years ago when we launched our airline and I am sure that there will be
doubters again this time, but we will not fail your trust.
“We know the markets we are going into and, particularly in my playground
in Asia, there is a huge opportunity to replicate the AirAsia model and give
consumers access to exciting, affordable products that marry our interests
in F1 and technology and help make their dreams come true.''
The statement added that “the future vehicles will be distinctive,
differentiated, and carry the respective DNA of Alpine and Caterham Cars,
the automotive division of Caterham Group.''
The Alpine plant in Dieppe is currently dedicated to building the vehicles
developed by Renault Sport Technologies, both production (Clio R.S.) and
racing models.
The Star.. 6th Nov.
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has teamed up with European car
maker Renault to design, develop and build future sports vehicles including
sports utility vehicle (SUV) and city cars that are affordable to the mass
market. The first car will roll out from the production line in 2015.
Fernandes' Caterham Group and Renault ASA unit, Automobiles Alpine
Renault company, signed a deal in Paris yesterday in which both parties
would have equal 50:50 equity stake in a new joint venture known as The
Socit des Automobiles Alpine, to design, develop and build future sports
vehicles.
“Asia will be a big part of this investment and there will be two
manufacturing hubs, one each in Europe (Dieppe Plant in Normandy in
France) and Asia (in Malaysia). We will work with a factory (Naza Motors
plant) in Malaysia and use the Malaysian auto (support) chain,'' he told
StarBiz from Paris yesterday.
He added that “we will create jobs in Malaysia and the investment will be
happening as early as next year. We will start building from 2013 and build
cars that are affordable to the mass market. The cars will be sold in Asia
and Europe.''
From airlines, Formula 1 to football, Fernandes never fails to amaze and
this time he has got a reputable player, Renault, whose CEO and chairman
Carlos Ghosn , is very well known and respected in the global auto industry.
Fernandes said the venture into Formula 1 years ago by Caterham was not
just about going for the races but also about making cars. In fact, making
cars is also his “dream'' and he expected to realise that by 2015.
A report said the first car, the CT02, was expected to roll out of the
production plant in 2015 and Fernandes said the Malaysian version would
be a completely knocked down (CKD) with local parts to ensure a lower
tax.
Renault and Caterham already have a business partnership as the French
carmaker provides engines for the Caterham F1 team.
He declined to say how much investment was required but did say that
“today we are becoming a car manufacturer and F1 has been a useful
marketing platform; and we now have a great platform to make cars.''
As to teaming up with Renault, he said: “What a fantastic partner we have
for a small company from Malaysia and we are very excited that an icon
like Renault believes in us as many people had tried to partner Renault. I
and (Datuk) Kamarudin (Meranun) are excited about this new venture.''
Ghosn said in a statement that “this innovative partnership with Caterham
embodies a longstanding ambition: the creation of a sports car with the
Alpine DNA. It carries both opportunities for the Dieppe plant and the
development of its historic knowhow.''
Fernandes added in a press release that “I have not felt as excited about a
new venture since I launched AirAsia in 2001. Many people doubted us 11
years ago when we launched our airline and I am sure that there will be
doubters again this time, but we will not fail your trust.
“We know the markets we are going into and, particularly in my playground
in Asia, there is a huge opportunity to replicate the AirAsia model and give
consumers access to exciting, affordable products that marry our interests
in F1 and technology and help make their dreams come true.''
The statement added that “the future vehicles will be distinctive,
differentiated, and carry the respective DNA of Alpine and Caterham Cars,
the automotive division of Caterham Group.''
The Alpine plant in Dieppe is currently dedicated to building the vehicles
developed by Renault Sport Technologies, both production (Clio R.S.) and
racing models.
The Star.. 6th Nov.
