Exclusive Interview: Honda Confirms No More Collaborations With Proton Beyond Proton Perdana

During an exclusive interview, Honda has confirmed with Carlist.my privately that it is no longer working with Proton on any future models.

Speaking to me privately on the sidelines of the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show yesterday, Noriaki Abe, Chief Operating Officer of Regional Operations for Asia & Oceania, confirms that Honda is no longer in talks with Proton for any future projects.

“Basically we have stopped all other product development with Proton. Our involvement with Proton stops at the Proton Perdana, as we could not reach an agreement with Proton on several key issues,” said Abe.

Abe is also the President of the Bangkok-based Asian Honda Motor, Honda’s regional office for ASEAN.

The current generation Proton Perdana is based on the previous, eighth generation Honda Accord. This model is not sold to the public, and is only used by government agencies and ministries.

Proton however, is expected to launch a new Proton Perdana sometime in 2016. This particular model will be sold to the general public, and will have a significantly different exterior styling but it is still based on the eighth generation Honda Accord.

Abe’s comments confirms an earlier report by Carlist.my in April 2015, when we reported that Honda has already called off negotiations with Proton.