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

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

Yeah! am still keeping in touch with the Malaysian auto industry.

Proton today unveiled two variants of the Savvy and an enhanced version of the Waja. Both cars are available for booking at all Proton Edar and EON showrooms nationwide from today.

The on-the-road prices of the variants of the Savvy are as given below:

- Savvy Medium-line 5 Manual Transmission RM 40,240.00
- Savvy Medium-line Automated Manual Transmission RM 43,182.00
- Savvy High-line Automated Manual Transmission RM 45,841.00

Powered by a 1.2 litre multi-point injection engine, Proton claims that the Savvy is capable of a maximum speed of 170km/h and goes from 0-100km/h in 12.6 seconds. It features a newly-designed front grille and tailgate, equipped with sporty rear spoiler.

Only the highline model that comes standard fitted with safety features that includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), twin airbags (driver and front passenger), driver and front passenger seat belt pre-tensioners, alarm, and an engine immobilizer system besides the other standard features.

One new changes in the new Savvy is the 14" inch alloy wheels for the medium range model and 15" inch alloy wheels for the High-line model.

It is priced at RM59,388.00 for the manual version and RM 62,888.00 for the automatic version.

Proton claims that the new Waja will “offer the best value-for-money in terms of specifications, safety and equipment level for a vehicle in its class”.

It has a newly-designed more aerodynamic front end. The car is available in five new colours, namely, metallic twilight blue, metallic Iridescent white, metallic gray, metallic brilliant red and burgundy.

NOTE: Searched the whole Proton website trying to get some nice pics of the new models but all I got was some small low resolution images in the Flash format.

My advice to their Marketing manager and website managers - allow your customers (and potential customers) to download images from your site. And in case you haven’t heard, having good relationships with bloggers help.

Will upload the pics if and when I get them.

Tags: Malaysia Proton Savvy Waja

Received this from another friend.

Myvi goes up against Savvy one on one and lets see who wins. The previous one was clearly written by a Perodua supporter so I edited it a bit (neutral mah).

1. Technology Partner: Engines

Myvi: K3 Engine by Toyota
Savvy: Renault engine
* Toyota engines- reliable, easy to maintain, proven for Malaysian market
Renault engines- expensive parts replacement, not proven for Malaysian hot weather
* Perodua 1

2. Technology Partner: Handling

Myvi: Toyota ???
Savvy: Lotus
* Proton 1

3. Engine Capacity/ Horse Power

Myvi: 1.3, 88 horse power
Savvy: 1.2, 74 horse power
*Perodua 1

4. Engine Cams

Myvi: DOHC
Savvy: SOHC
*Perodua 1

5. Fuel Injection

Myvi: EFi
Savvy: Multi point injection
* Proton 1

6. Engine Belt

Myvi: D.V.V.T
Savvy: Timing belt
* D.V.V.T - change every 200,000 km @ 4 years
Timing belt - 100,000 km @ 2 years
Perodua 1

7. Rear lamp

Myvi: LED
Savvy: Standard bulb
* Draw. LED Problems/ Bulbs need to be replaced. Perodua 0, Proton 0

8. Windows

Myvi: 4 power windows
Savvy: Rear windows - manual
* Perodua 1. Though good exercise for Savvy passengers owners, Proton: 0.5

9. Side mirror

Myvi: Electronic adjustment
Savvy: Adjusted manually
* Perodua 1

10. Fuel Economy

Myvi: Fuel - 1 litre = 21 km
Savvy: Fuel - 1 litre = 18 km
* Perodua 1

11. Price

Myvi: RM41,200 - RM51,300
Savvy: RM42,888 - RM42,494
* Proton 1

12. Quality Assurances

Myvi: Toyota??
Savvy: TUV
Perodua 1, Proton 1

Go count the points yourself.

Last year I won an sms contest organised by Cars, bikes and trucks’ section of the NST. Actually I didn’t win anything, I just got my sms message printed. My name was not even put there. I had made some suggestions about how Proton cars could be improved. My suggestion was to make air bags and disc brakes standard in all cars. My friends working in Proton kept on making excuses like “it would increase costs”, blah blah blah.

The Perodua Myvi comes as a breath of fresh air and has set a new stadard for all cars sold in Malaysia, both local as well as foreign brands.

Only the top range DOHC 1.3 litre automatic (priced RM51,300 on-the-road with insurance) comes with ABS and twin air bags but it is a start for a car of this range and price.

I found it interesting that local compnent vendors also contributed to the design and development of parts right from the inception stage working with Perodua. This is a strategic move in view of the fact that the car has 80% local content

Perodua’s latest offering comes in direct competition with Proton’s soon to be launched first compact car (Also known as the Tiara replacement model with a 1.2 liter engine). I am eagerly wating to see Proton’s response to the Perodua’s challenge.