Hyundai, Renault In Malaysia Joint Venture

Rafidah Aziz, the minister of international trade and industry, said the government supported the venture, which plans to start production late next year in Kedah, the northern state where Mahathir Mohammed the Prime Minister, grew up.

The venture, called Industri Otomotif Komersial (Inokom), is promoting itself as the maker of a national van and truck, hoping to elicit comparisons with the country's successful national car, the Proton. Rafidah, however, stopped short of bestowing a national endorsement on the project. The vehicles will be made at a M$150 million (