The Car Domain

Malaysian car company Proton, launched a new model yesterday - the Proton Persona.

The new 1.6-litre Persona sedan will replace the Proton Wira (sold as the Proton Persona in the UK). the Wira has been the cash cow for Proton since it’s launch 14 years ago.

Their site was down yesterday as well as today morning and was only able to get in just now. I still can’t get into the Proton Edar site still.

When I first saw the spy shot pictures sometime back, to me it looked almost identical to their Gen 2- an elongated Gen 2 but I slowly noticed the differences.

Featuring the 1.6L 82kw (110bhp) Campro engine, the Persona is available in 5 variations, that will be available in five-speed manual (MT) or four-speed automatic transmission (AT) versions:
- 1.6 Base Line Model - 2 variants (AT and MT).
This variant is a Base model with 4 power windows, CD player and basic features.
- 1.6 Medium Line Model - 2 variants (AT and MT).
This variant is the Medium range model and has additional features from the Base Line variant, such as driver’s airbag, alloy rims, foldable rear seats, MP3 player and electric door mirror.
- 1.6 High Line Model – (Only available in AT).
This variant is an extension of the Medium range variant, with features such as dual airbags, ABS, EBD and standard Captor alarm.

Customers will have a choice of seven colours, namely, Solid Red, Light Gold, Metal Grey, Tranquility Black, Iridescent White and Blueberry Tea. Solid white will be available from September this year.

Dimensions:
Overall Length: 4477mm
Overall Width: 1725mm
Overall Height: 1438mm
Fuel Capacity: 50 L
Luggage Volume: 430 L
Weight: 1180 - 1210 KG

I also learnt that one of the major complaints - the low headroom at the rear have been addressed.

Company Chairman Mohammed Azlan Hashim, forecasts sales of the Persona to reach between 30,000 and 40,000 units in the next 12 months.

I don’t have more details or pictures at the moment. Will post them up when I do. I would really appreciate it if any one back in Malaysia could send me some pictures.

In the meantime, you can read what Paul Tan has to say about the car.

Malaysian car company Proton has provided a sneak peak of it’s to “be launched soon” sedan on it’s site. They call this the “soft launch”. The real official launch will be tentatively on the 15th of August. They don’t have a name for it as yet.

From the silhouette, it looks like the gen 2 with an elongated rear.

Customers can now book the car for a fee of RM500 (transferable but strictly non-refundable). There will be 5 variants of the car

Here are some of the specs:

Dimensions:
Overall Length - 4477mm
Overall Width - 1725mm
Overall Height - 1438mm
Fuel Capacity - 50 Liitres
Luggage Volume - 430 Litres
Weight - 1180 - 1210 KG

Initially it will be available in 6 colours, namely, Iridescent White, Solid Red, Light Gold, Tranquility Black, Metal Greyand Blueberry Tea. Solid White will be available from September 2007 onwards.

1.6 L Base-Line (MT & AT)

• Steel Wheels with 195/60 R15 tyres with wheel cover
• Central Locking
• FR & RR Power Windows
• Alarm with Immobilizer
• Brakes: Fr Discs, Rear Drum
• Remote Door Mirrors
• Reverse Sensors
• Fixed Rear Seat
• adio & CD Player with 2 speakers

• Alloy Sports Rims with 195/60 R15 tyres
• Central Locking
• FR & RR Power Windows
• Alarm with Immobilizer
• Brakes: Fr Discs, Rear Drum
• Electrically operated door mirrors
• Driver Seat Airbag
• Reverse Sensors
• Foldable, split rear seats
• Multi function audio control buttons on the steering wheel
• CD and MP3 Players with 4 speakers

• Alloy Sports Rims with 195/60 R15 tyres
• ABS anti-lock braking with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Central Locking
• FR & RR Power Windows
• Alarm with Immobilizer
• Brakes: Fr & Rear Discs
• Electrically operated door mirrors
• Driver & Front Passenger Airbags
• Reverse Sensors Foldable, split rear seats
• Multi function audio control buttons on the steering wheel
• CD and MP3Players with 4 speakers
• Front Fog Lamps Remote Trunk Opening

Another forwarded mail. Really funny.

Malaysian Drivers based on location.

1. One hand on wheel, one hand on horn: IPOH driver

2. One hand on wheel, one hand out the window with cigarette: KEPONG driver.

3. One hand on wheel, one finger out window, cutting across all lanes of traffic: DOWNTOWN KUALA LUMPUR driver.

4. One hand on wheel, one hand on parang (a type of knife), foot solidly on accelerator: JOHOR driver.

5. One hand on wheel, one hand on non-fat double decaf cappuccino, cradling cell phone, brick on accelerator, hands-free on the lap: BANGSAR driver.

6. Both hands on wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake, quivering in terror: FOREIGNER, driving in MALAYSIA.

7. One hand on 12 oz. double shot latte, one knee on wheel, talking on cell phone, foot on brake, mind on radio game, banging head on steering wheel while stuck in traffic: SUBANG JAYA DRIVER…..on the Federal Highway!!!

8. One hand on wheel, one hand on passengers head rest, alternating between both feet being on the accelerator and both feet on brake, throwing rambutans or durian shells out the window: KARAK HIGHWAY ; KUANTAN driver.

9. Four-wheel drive pick-up truck, READY-TO-KILL attitude, rear window stickers read “Make my day”, beer cans on floor, wedding ribbon still attached to antenna: CONSTRUCTION SITE….PUCHONG driver!

10.One hand on the handphone, another hand picking nose, One leg on the dash board, another leg crossed on the seat with a beer can in the middle ~ turning anywhere he likes, parking anywhere he likes, in fact, driving anywhere he likes. aaahhh….. this is a heaven for drivers……welcome to PENANG!

11. Two hands gripping tightly to the wheel, eyes glued to the windscreen, alternately stepping on the accelerator and brakes every 5 seconds. WOMAN DRIVERS ANYWHERE!

Yesterday there was a report in Forbes saying that German carmaker Volkswagen AG is “close to agreeing a deal to acquire Malaysia-based Proton Holdings Bhd”.

However, according to the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Proton is only talking to VW about a strategic alliance.

Read the full report in The Edge Daily report here.

According to the Malaysian Automotive Association’s (MAA) annual report, auto sales in Malaysia were down 11% in 2006 from the previous year’s position to 490,768 units. This is the first drop in three years.

The country’s No. 1 spot has also been taken by Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd and National carmaker Proton Bhd falls to the second spot.

The lower sales last year were attributed to low second-hand car prices, higher fuel costs and the tightening of loans for the purchase of cars by banks following high default rates.

However, the report had a positive note in that they expected sales to rise this year- predicting 1.9% growth in 2007.

Related Links:
- Perodua firmly in pole position
- Perodua Sales Up, Captures 42 Pct Share Of Passenger Car Market
- 2006 car sales plunge but ‘worst over’

Tags: MAA Perodua Proton