15 November 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) Japan has collaborated with Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) for many years and most recently, the technical support provided to Proton for the development of the new Inspira.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has squashed the hopes of many Malaysians, confirming that no Mitsubishi models in its present model range, other than the Mitsubishi Lancer on which the Proton Inspira is based, will be part of any technical collaboration with Proton in the future. In short, it means that you can buy that Mitsubishi model you have been eyeing with a peace of mind, because there will not be a similar Proton version launching in the future.
Comparing the Lancer with the Inspira, MMM points out that the Lancer is a fully-imported model from Japan, where it is subjected to the highest manufacturing quality standards set and monitored by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. The Inspira is locally-assembled at Proton’s Shah Alam plant with 40 percent local content currently. MMM further adds that the Lancer is offered with a five-year warranty and a two-year free maintenance program.
Despite the overwhelming similarities between the Mitsubishi and the Proton, MMM believes that the two are well-differentiated. “While the Inspira is modeled after the Mitsubishi Lancer, it differs in a number of ways—with both having its own unique traits, allowing each respective vehicle to differentiate itself in the market place”, the company said in an official statement. “Each brand also caters to a different group of customer segments with a different set of driving desires and expectations”.
