KUALA LUMPUR, 15 June 2015 – PROTON Holdings Berhad (“PROTON”), DRB-HICOM Berhad (“DRB- HICOM”) and Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan (“Suzuki”) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) and License Agreement (“LA”) to form a long term strategic collaboration and partnership between the three companies.

1. PROTON, DRB-HICOM AND SUZUKI INKED STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
COLLABORATION
KUALA LUMPUR, 15 June 2015 – PROTON Holdings Berhad (“PROTON”), DRB-HICOM Berhad
(“DRB- HICOM”) and Suzuki MotorCorporation,Japan (“Suzuki”) today signed a Memorandumof
Understanding (“MoU”) and License Agreement (“LA”) to form a long term strategic collaboration
and partnership between the three companies.
Signing on behalfof PROTON was YBhg Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah,Chief Executive Officer of
PROTON, on behalf of Suzuki wasMr Osamu Suzuki,Chairman & CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation,
Japan whilst on behalf of DRB-HICOM was YBhg Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed, Chief Operating Officer,
Automotive Distribution & Manufacturing.The event was graced by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri
Mustapha Mohamed, Ministerof International Trade and Industry, PROTON Chairman and former
Prime Ministerof Malaysia, the Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and His Excellency Makio
Miyagawa,Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia. Also present were Yang Berhormat Datuk Ir. Haji
Hamim Samuri, Deputy Ministerof International Trade & Industri and YBhg Dato’ Syed Mohamad
Syed Murtaza,Chairman of DRB-HICOM and a Board Member of PROTON.
The spirit of the collaboration encompasses four main areas which are products,technology,people
and market. With thiscollaboration,it would allow PROTON to have access to the models, platforms,
powertrain and automotive technology ofSuzuki. Suzuki will then provide the specific technical
assistance for the productsand scope selected.
“Suzuki is strong for its technology and expertise in producing smaller engine segments, especially in
the A and B segments categoriesthat would complement PROTON Long Range Product Plan.We look
forward to the collaboration asthisgives us the opportunity to tap into each other’s strengths which
can result in the maximising of volume potentials,reduction of development lead time and expediting
the time-to-market for both companies. Suzuki is a renowned global strategic partner and has presence
in 13 countriesoperating via 19 plants.What more to say, Suzuki has also sold approximately 3
million cars in a year globally.This is proven with its 45% market share in India for FY2014/15
through its collaboration with Maruti.”said Dato’ Harith.
“We are truly excited with thiscollaboration as the relationship between the DRB-HICOM Group, our
parent company, and Suzuki haslong been built,one that dates back to 1983. The technology
advancement,in terms of powertrain engineering for the smaller engine segment vehicles would help
complete the offerings of the different segment of vehicles for PROTON with the adoption offeatures
and specification.This can help us meet regulatory and market requirements while we greatly reduce
our R&D and production costs,”Dato’ Harith added.
“The collaboration isalso in line with the National Automotive Policy (“NAP”) as PROTON continues
to develop and produce productswith features that meet international standards and requirements.The
partnership is consistent with the NAP as having a strong and renowned global automotive player like
Suzuki asthe foreign strategic partnerto PROTON will provide PROTON the opportunity to grow
internationally leveraging on Suzuki’spresence worldwide,”continued Dato’Harith.
“A collaborative like thisiscommon in the automotive industry where car companies work together to
reduce cost, optimise operationsand realise market potentials.The first phase of the project is
scheduled to start production in the next 16 months and the production will take place at the PROTON
Tanjung Malim plant,”ended Dato’ Harith.
The collaboration will also see all three parties working together to rationalise Suzuki’s presence in
Malaysia.Currently, Suzuki isoperating through its co-owned subsidiary,Suzuki Malaysia Automobile
Sdn Bhd (“SMA”). SMA is owned by DRB-HICOM (40%),Suzuki (40%),and Itochu Corporation
(20%).The rationalisation isexpected to be completed within one year after the signing.