National car company, Proton Bhd plans launching a large-scale production of hybrid cars by 2011, said managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Syed Mohamed Tahir yesterday.He said the program was developed through joint ventures with subsidiaries based in Britain, Lotus, and several other components suppliers such as battery manufacturers.
“We have a team specialized in Lotus to develop and test the car using Lotus technology. I tested the car two weeks ago and I am impressed with it,” he told Malaysian media in conjunction with the Thailand International Motor Exhibition, here.
Before that, Thai Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban launched the expo was briefed about the project in Thailand and Proton’s latest model, Exora.Syed Zainal said, some hybrid cars Exora currently tested in Britain and will be sent to Malaysia at the end of this month or early next year.