Piston.my

Proton Saga

In spite of the challenges of getting parts, especially microprocessors, to complete vehicles, the auto industry in Malaysia actually had a boom year and is expected to have a Total Industry Volume (TIV) of over 700,000 units. Even by November, the TIV had reached 642,306 units, exceeding the sales forecast of 630,000 units made by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

For Proton, it was also another great year – the fourth, in fact – as the brand saw overall sales of 141,432 units (including exports) in 2022. This was with the addition of another 14,750 units in December, the fourth best monthly performance for the year.

Compared to numbers reported in 2021, Proton’s total sales grew by 23.3% despite a tough start to the year. Production was disrupted at both factories due to a combination of flooding which affected parts vendors in Selangor and an acute shortage of microprocessors, which was a global problem. The situation limited output and deliveries for the first 4 months of the year.

(more…)

Mattel, the American toy and entertainment company, has over a dozen factories around the world which makes its various products, with the Hot Wheels model cars probably the best known. And of its main factories in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Thailand, the one in Malaysia is the largest Hot Wheels manufacturing plant in the world. Malaysia therefore plays an important role in Mattel’s supply chain for the company’s manufacturing, tooling, and commercial operations.

The plant – Mattel Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MMSB) – located in Perai, Penang, was established in 1981 and is also the world’s only manufacturer of Hot Wheels singles, the top-selling toy globally in 2021.

Currently producing around 9 million diecast car models each week for markets around the world, MMSB is aiming for a 20% increase in production capacity by 2025.

(more…)

While the newer X70 and X50 SUV models have been selling well and have strong demand, it has been the Saga that has consistently remained the strongest seller for Proton all these years. It contributed to a large share of sales each year that the original model was able to last right up till the beginning of 2008 – almost 23 years after it was launched.

The generations following enjoyed the same success and loyal customer base that kept growing, and so when it comes to any updates, the focus is on providing more but not tampering with the success formula. That’s the case with the updated 2022 Saga launched today and the slight changes in price across the range are matched with additional features and of course, some cosmetic changes.

The 2022 range is offered with 4 variants – Premium S and Premium, and Standard with automatic and manual transmissions. From what we recall, the last price range for the Saga was between RM32,800 to RM39,800 and the new pricelist shows a range of between RM34,400 to RM44,300.

When Proton Design began working on this new model, the COVID-19 pandemic had started and people had to work from home. But fortunately, it was already decided that there would be no major changes required so the ‘new normal’ in working life was not a problem for the design team.

For facelifts, the designers usually make alterations in the usual areas where fixed apertures in the bodywork are – typically the grille, bumpers and lighting units. Unless there is extra budget, new body panels are avoided and this has been the case for the new Saga which also retains the bumpers from before.

The grille has the same ‘Infinite Weave’ design as before – a signature feature of Proton models – and now incorporates the latest brand logo in the middle. Sharp-eyed observers will spot the differentiating element which is in the strip running along the bottom of the grille. Where is used to be just a straight line running the full width, the logo now ‘cuts’ into the strip which also has a ’dip’. It would seem the designers have recalled a little detail that began with the Waja 20 years ago and was present up till the Satria Neo.

Depending on the variant (of which there are four), the strip is silver (or is it white) on the Standard and Premium versions and red on the Premium S.

To add sportiness to the top Premium S version, side skirts are added along with extensions to the front bumper. While skirts do have a vital role in aerodynamics on racing cars, they are largely cosmetic attachments that visually lower the car. At the rear is a slim spoiler which is also found on the other 3 variants.

Facelifts also often see the wheel designs changing as this does not require any engineering changes. For the 2022 model, the 15-inch alloy wheels for the Saga Premium S/Premium have an interesting design with 4 spokes finished in a light colour and the other sections of the wheel left dark. The wheels for the Saga Premium have all the spokes in the same colour for differentiation.

15-inch wheels on Saga Premium S (left) and Saga Premium (right).

The Standard versions also have different wheels or rather, the Standard with automatic transmission has 14-inch rims of a similar design as before and the one with manual transmission is fitted with steel wheels (and covers). Standard versions have 175/65 tyres while the Premium versions get a wider 185/55 size.

The same proven 1.3-litre 16-valve DOHC VVT engine is used for all variants. Its output of 95 ps/120 Nm reaches the front wheels through a 4-speed automatic (not a CVT) or 5-speed manual transmission. No mention is made of tuning changes but to help the driver stretch each litre, there’s ECO Drive Assist to indicate when the driving style is efficient. Of course, the engine runs fine on RON95 so no worries about the rising price of RON97 petrol.

One thing we noticed was the absence of insulating pads on the undersides of the bonnet as well as bootlid. These pads can be found in most cars nowadays, even rivals to the Saga. Exposing bare metal (even if painted) doesn’t help the image of a car as it gives a ‘cheap’ impression but Proton probably needed the cost-saving. While acknowledging the omission, a senior executive on the engineering team said that in as far as noise is concerned, the absence of the insulating pad does not make a lot of difference as a lot of effort had already gone into reducing overall noise levels earlier. However, for those who have bionic ears and insist that an insulating pad makes a difference, Proton does offer the item as an accessory. It’s like the old days when EON used to sell sound-absorbing pads which owners could add on to the bodywork to reduce noise.

Omission of insulating pad exposes the bare metal (even if it’s painted), which gives a ‘cheap’ look.

Like the exterior, the interior also gets changes which do not require major changes in the overall structure of the various sections, eg the dashboard. The Premium S gets some extra attention in detailing with red accents around the air vents. The same red treatment is also seen around the meters, an idea which was originally used on the Anniversary Edition (but with a different colour).

2022 Proton Saga

2022 Proton Saga

2022 Proton Saga

New convenience features include automatic folding mirrors, keyless entry and a pushstart button which means the key fob can stay in the pocket and handbag. However, it would need to be used if you want to open the bootlid from a distance.

The boot space is still 420 litres, quite generous for a small car, and when more space is needed, the rear backrest can be folded down. This lengthens the boot floor into the cabin so you can load a long carpet.

As a general policy, the Geely Group which Proton is a part of has made cabin air quality an important matter, and this is especially important today to control the spread of viruses. During the pandemic’s early months, Geely was quick to develop more effective air filtration systems for its cars and other brands in the group have also followed suit. For the new Saga, the N95 cabin filter is now standard for all variants.

2022 Proton Saga

The infotainment system has updated has the new operating software and Bluetooth 4.2 for better wireless connectivity. It also easily connects to compatible Android and iOS smartphones so drivers can use and manage their favourite apps while on the move. Switches located on the steering wheel allow for easy access to change audio settings and answer calls while driving.

For the absent-minded types, there’s now a reminder message which appears on the display when the engine is switched off. It reminds the driver to check that they have all their belongings and more importantly, have not left their children behind! It seems odd that a parent can forget their child was travelling with them and leave him or her inside but as we have read in many reports, that does happen and sometimes end in tragedy.

The Saga, being of an earlier generation of cars, doesn’t have the increasingly common suite of integrated driver-assist systems. Nevertheless, it still has many active safety systems that will help the driver avoid an accident. ABS, traction control, stability control, etc are all provided but it’s a pity that the Standard with manual transmission does not have electronic stability control/traction control. Again, this is probably a cost-saving matter but where safety is concerned, Proton should be working towards providing every customer with the best safety equipment possible.

Perhaps the Saga, being a legacy model, is constrained by having been developed along different cost structures and there’s not much that can be done to change that. Moving forward with Geely now providing its expertise and experience in more cost-effective engineering and manufacturing, the next generation of the Saga should be able to have more features, even as an entry-level model.

Up till 2001, Proton had entered many markets around the world, with over 210,000 cars exported to 51 countries. However, after that, the number fell and although recognizing that exports were vital as its protection in the home market diminished and competition increased, Proton did not have a strong export business.

The number of exported vehicles dwindled to only 248 units in 2017 but over the past few years, the Malaysian carmaker has been slowly rebuilding its presence overseas and even having models assembled in some countries. Volumes are seeing a gradual upturn and last year, 3,018 Proton vehicles were exported, more than double the number in 2020. For 2022, the International Sales Department is targeting to grow export sales exponentially to 10,000 units.

As it has a bigger focus on righthand-drive models, it has obviously given more attention to countries where motorists drive on the left side, like us. The latest new market is South Africa, although it is not unfamiliar to Proton as the brand had a presence there up till 2012. It will return with the X50 and X70 this September, followed by the latest Saga.

It will be represented by the CMH (Combined Motor Holdings) Group, an investment holding company which has been active in the motor business since 1987. Proton joins a long list of global brands that CMH represents, some of which are Ford, Chery, Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Mahindra, Peugeot and Citroen.

SUVs to grow export sales
Proton’s growth will be achieved not only by entering more new markets but also increasing local assembly (CKD) operations overseas. Currently, the carmaker has CKD operations in Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh with Sri Lanka set to begin in the second half of 2022. The company currently exports cars to 13 overseas markets, with South Africa becoming the fourteenth one.

As a percentage of Malaysia’s overall vehicle exports, Proton’s numbers are becoming increasingly prominent. From 12.8% of total exports in 2019, the number grew to 30.2% in 2020 and hit 60.9% in 2021. That put the brand at the No.1 position, an achievement in spite of the global pandemic.

Proton SUVs help brand image
Proton’s improved model range has helped in export sales, especially as it has the two SUVs jointly developed with Geely. The SUV segment is the most active globally and the sales success enjoyed in Malaysia by the X50 and X70 has been largely replicated in other markets. This helps to establish the brand, paving the way for more models to be exported.

“Our new model range offers advanced features that are on par with many competitors from other brands. In many of our markets, the Proton X50 and Proton X70 sit near the top of their class in terms of specifications yet are sold at prices equivalent to or less than their direct rivals. This helps to draw in the upper echelon of local car-buyers and helps build brand equity in these markets, making it easier for our other products to then be accepted in the future,” said Steven Xu, Director of International Sales.

“PROTON’s long-term goals require exports to play a major role to grow the company’s overall sales as the annual Total Industry Volume in Malaysia is expected to remain flat. So, we are exploiting the strength of our new products, our brand and even the links Malaysia has with other countries to establish a foothold in many new markets. This is then bolstered by establishing CKD operations where possible, which also helps to grow local economies,” he added.

Although it is estimated that the Total Industry Volume (TIV) of new vehicles sold in Malaysia last year dropped by at least 4.6% to just over 505,000 units of passenger cars and commercial vehicles, Proton’s sales for the year rose by 4.5% over its 2020 volume. With December contributing 14,147 units, the Malaysia carmaker ended the year with a total of 114,708 units delivered (including export sales). It was the highest closing figure since 2014 and is the third consecutive year of volume growth for the company.

The brand’s market share in December is estimated to be 20.6% but for the whole of 2021, it would likely be 22.7% (pending official data from the Malaysian Automotive Association). This would be an increase of 2% over the market share in 2020, putting it is a firm second position in overall sales.

SUVs make big contribution
It’s not surprising that the two SUV models – the X70 launched in December 2018 and the X50 in October 2020 – have made major contributions to Proton’ sales numbers. This mirrors the global trend that has been going on many years now where SUVs are very popular.

With a total of 45,149 SUVs sold in 2021, Proton can claim to be the best-selling SUV brand in Malaysia. That number accounted for nearly 40% of its total sales volume. Individually, the X50 ended the year with 28,774 units, with December being its best month when 4,310 units were delivered nationwide. It was the second consecutive month the model exceeded more than 4,000 units.

Meanwhile, 16,375 units of the bigger X70 were delivered in 2021 with a final month figure of 1,616 units. This put it at the top of the SUV C-segment, and third in terms of overall SUV sales.

Saga still the bestseller
Nevertheless, the bestselling model for Proton was still the evergreen Saga, with 42,627 units sold. The model is also sold overseas and assembled in some countries as well, enabling better supply of cars to those markets.

Other models that performed well in 2021 were the Exora (4,035 units), Persona (16,153 units) and Iriz (6,708 units). Deliveries rose a bit during December as chip supply issue improved slightly.

Growing international sales
International sales were also a major highlight for the company. With 3,018 units exported in 2021, the total volume grew by over 100%. This made Proton the number one local automotive brand for export sales last year. With local assembly operations ramping up in overseas markets coupled to a hopeful loosening of trade restrictions, there is optimism the upward trend will continue in coming years.

“2021 was tough for the automotive industry as a whole and this is reflected in the reduction in TIV compared to the previous year. From a global chip shortage to a spike in COVID-19 numbers that led to another lockdown to skyrocketing transport costs, there were many challenges for industry players to overcome. That is why PROTON’S sales growth in a year where the market contracted was significant as it was the result of careful planning and juggling of available resources,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

“Regarding export sales, we are equally proud about being the brand with the highest export volume in 2021 as it proves we are gaining traction overseas thanks to the joint efforts of our International Sales division and our foreign partners. While increasing shipping costs are a growing concern, our planned activities in 2022 means we expect export sales growth to accelerate in the coming years,” he added.

7 new outlets opened
The Proton network of 3S/4S outlets started 2021 with 140 outlets and despite the challenges faced in terms of financing and construction works, another 7 outlets were in operation by the end of 2021.

“The growth of Proton’s ancillary businesses such as Proton Commerce and the increase in the number of outlets is directly linked to the number of vehicles we sell. As sales have grown so have our facilities to cater to an increased number of customers. I would also like to announce we have extended the warranty for the 6-speed automatic gearbox used by the CBU Proton X70 to 5 years with unlimited mileage. This is to further benefit our customers and give them added peace of mind,” added Encik Roslan.

In spite of being a challenging year for the auto industry, 2021 will still see Proton staying above the 100,000-unit level for the third year in a row. In fact, even with one month left, the Malaysian carmaker has already reached a cumulative total volume of 100,566 units. This has been achieved with a sales volume of 14,187 units (domestic + export) during November

Another month of growth
With the market on the upswing, Proton too has enjoyed revived interest by car-buyers, with a 6.2% increase over October sales. This would be the third consecutive month of growth. And looking back at a year ago, November 2020 sales were 24.3% lower.

*Volume for 2021 is from January – November.

The market share of the Malaysian market for the month is estimated to be 24.5% and for the 11-month period, the share has grown by 1.9% to an estimated 22.8% at the end of November 2021.

Saga remains bestseller of the brand
The evergreen Saga remained the brand’s bestseller and had its best sales month since December 2020. 5,666 units were sold nationwide, placing it at the top of the A-segment sedan class, a position the company is hopeful it will retain to the end of the year.

The younger X50 also had a record month in November with 4,010 units delivered. That is significantly better than its previous high of 3,839 units set in October. Its bigger brother, the X70, remained in high demand and gained 1,901 new owners in November, also giving it leadership in the C-segment SUV class.

TOP THREE PROTON MODELS IN NOVEMBER

Proton X50

Proton X70

The Exora MPV is still dominant in the C-segment MPV market and saw a fourth consecutive month of growth 434 units sold. There is demand for the other models but, as with many carmakers, Proton has experienced component supply issues for the Iriz and Persona. This has limited their production volumes and only 642 and 1,534 units, respectively, were available for delivery to customers.

Limited by supply, not demand
“November was a good sales month for Proton though overall industry numbers continue to be limited by supply and not low demand. Crossing over the 100,000-unit threshold with a month to go is a high point for us after another year disrupted by COVID-19,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

“We are humbled by the achievement and are now confident of ending the year with an increase in total sales. This will make Proton the sole national brand to grow sales and market share this year and give us a strong base heading into 2022 as we look to consolidate and improve our ranking both domestically and overseas,” Encik Roslan added.

Proton, like other carmakers in Malaysia, has been seeing a steady sales growth since the government allowed businesses to start operating again from the middle of August. While there were only two weeks of operations in August and many sales outlets also had to prepare their premises to meet SOPs, September was a full month and customers began returning to showrooms.

For Proton, September was very encouraging as the total number of vehicles sold (including exports) was 10,380 units. The company estimates that the Total Industry Volume for the month will be around 43,500 units and, on that basis, Proton’s share would be 23.9%. This would keep it in second place in overall sales for 2021.

September’s sales volume takes the cumulative volume sold to 73,017 units after 8 months. That’s almost similar to the 73,547 units over the same period in 2020 although this year, Proton’s market share to date is slightly higher at 23% compared to 21.5%.

Although there is usually more news about the newer models like the X70 and X50, it was the Saga that was Proton’s bestseller in September. 3,907 units were sold, a number said to be the highest in the A-segment.

The newly launched Iriz and Persona also recorded strong first month sales. Even though production was affected by a shortage of components, the factory still managed to release 1,440 units of the Persona and 749 units of the Iriz (including the new Active variant) which were immediately delivered to customers.

As for the hotselling SUVs, deliveries accelerated to catch up with demand. For the X50, 2,431 units were delivered while 1,577 units of the X70 reached their new owners. To date in 2021, 27,312 units of SUVs have been sold by Proton which accounts for 37.4% of the overall year’s sales of 73,017 units.

“As the numbers show, sales were strong for Proton in September, so we are happy with the results. While we could have sold more than the 10,380 units achieved, some context should be given to our performance as Malaysia is recovering from a pandemic that is still affecting our vendors. The situation is slowly improving but the shortage of chips and other components is a real issue that will not change in the short term, so we must exercise caution when trying to forecast sales as production volumes remain subject to change,” explained Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

“Therefore, for the remaining three months of the year, Proton will concentrate on meeting our commitments to our customers and delivering as many cars as possible. Clearing the backlog will free up more volume for the next calendar year and help us move forward with plans to expand our offerings both locally and in export markets,” he said.

Encik Roslan said that while there is growth in the number of bookings made online, Proton and its dealers have made big investments to upgrade the sales and service network the last few years. “The best brand experience is still delivered in person, so we have adopted new operational procedures in light of the pandemic situation,” he added.

With all states in Phase 2 or higher of the National Recovery Plan, all Proton outlets and service centres have now reopened nationwide. While operations remain governed by strict SOPs to limit the physical number of people at a facility, fully vaccinated customers can visit showrooms to view and test drive the company’s range of offerings.

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected and although you may not show symptoms, you can spread the coronavirus to others. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.

Proton began exporting cars to the UK in 1988 and at its first display at the British Motor Show in Birmingham that year, the young Malaysian brand won three awards for its Proton Saga. 33 years later, that same model can still win awards in the UK as the winner of the 2021 Hagerty Concours de l’Ordinaire (Festival of the Unexceptional) held recently.

1989 Proton Saga Black Knight at Hagerty event

1989 Proton Saga Black Knight at Hagerty event

Only remaining one of 201 special units
A 1989 Proton Saga 1.5 was picked by 6 judges as the winner of the seventh edition of the event for car models from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The Saga was one of 201 units of a special edition known as ‘Black Knight’ which was imported and distributed by Proton UK. It is the only one of that special series remaining. Between 1988 and 2001, Proton exported 124,980 cars to the UK which was its largest overseas market.

When the car was put away in a garage in 1993, it had only 3,600 miles (4,186 kms) on the odometer. It appeared in public again in 2017 and the current owner, Jon Coupland, added it to his Proton collection which now numbers three cars. The Saga has since clocked another 9,400 miles (15,134 kms).

1989 Proton Saga Black Knight at Hagerty event
Malaysians will be very familiar with this dashboard but the version exported to the UK market had a different design around the instrument panel which was adapted from the Mitsubishi Lancer.

1989 Proton Saga Black Knight at Hagerty event

At the 1988 British Motor Show, Proton won its first three international awards for the Proton Saga which made its introduction in the market that year.

Other notable winners this year
The runner-up prize went to Danny Wilson’s Peugeot 106 which was bought for just £500 via Facebook Marketplace. Special mentions went to James Green for his 1989 Nissan Bluebird, Charles Whilems and his 1986 Volkswagen Polo C Formel E, Chris Howells and his 1971 Triumph Toledo and Simon Hucknall for his 1977 Fiat 128. All of these cars impressed the individual judges and warranted their place in the 2021 Unexceptional Hall of Fame.

Speaking at the event, James Mills, Hagerty’s UK Editor, said: “What stood out for me this year was the number of fantastic cars fielded by younger entrants. It’s great to see the next generation of enthusiasts showing a real passion for everyday, ordinary, and unexceptional classics and demonstrates the growing love for this accessible scene. Our Festival started out as a small, cult event but today we saw thousands of visitors make the trip to admire the unsung heroes of the classic car world.”

Besides organising events ‘to keep driving alive for car-lovers and drive positive change in the world’, Hagerty is the world’s largest provider of specialist insurance for enthusiast vehicles and supports keeping car culture alive through youth programs, the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA), the RPM Foundation and more.

Visit www.bhpetrol.com.my for more information.

With continued high demand, Proton reports that its total sales volume increased again for the month of April, the third consecutive month of growth. 15,017 units (including exports) were delivered, and the company’s cumulative volume after the first 4 months of 2021 reached 47,843 units. This is more than double the number for the same period last year although it has to be remembered that the MCO (Movement Control Order) shut down business activities for the whole industry for a while.

By its own estimate, Proton’s latest figure means it has a market share of 26.7% for April, and it continues to strengthen its hold in second position in overall the sales rankings table with a market share to date estimated at 24.4%.

Proton Saga at the top
The company believes its Saga is at the top of the national sales chart with 5,472 units sold in April while its two SUV models continue to set strong sales numbers. The X50, which has a long waiting list, set yet another new high for deliveries with 3,583 customers receiving their vehicles in April. The X70  was dominant in the C-segment SUV category with 2,101 units delivered.

Proton’s other 3 models also performed well and had their best months of 2021. Despite strong competition in the B-segment sedan market, 2,266 units of the Persona were sold, while the Exora continued to rule the C-segment MPV class. Iriz sales received a boost from strong demand for the R3 Limited Edition model that allowed it to have its best sales month since 2019.

2021 Proton Iriz R3 Limited Edition
Iriz R3 Limited Edition

Good month for the industry
“April was a good month for the automotive industry and aside from Proton, several other brands also had their best month of the year so far. The Total Industry Volume is estimated to be over 56,000 units as all brands are trying to fulfil sales orders before the expiry of the PENJANA sales tax exemption at the end of June 2021,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar, the company’s sales arm.

“For Proton, we are continuing with efforts to meet the strong demand for our products while maintaining a high level of product quality. At the same time, we are focussing on improving customer service and addressing issues related to spare parts availability, which is vital as our sales volume increases. We expect the situation will see significant improvement as the year progresses but we are working hard to move up that timeline,” he said.

He added that Proton Edar is looking forward to increased production volumes with the new stamping plant, which is now under construction. “The benefits of improved production volumes, lower costs and increased quality will allow us to increase sales exponentially both domestically and abroad, which will drive the company towards achieving its stated long-term goals,” he said.

Proton’s quest to become more export-oriented continues with the addition of another international market for the Proton Saga which is Pakistan. The latest model of the brand’s bestseller made its debut in Pakistan earlier this month, the eighth overseas market where it is offered besides Brunei, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius and Nepal.

The Proton Saga line-up for Pakistan consists of three versions -, the Saga with manual transmission, Saga with automatic transmission and a better equipped Saga Ace AT.

Additionally, 100 units of the Saga R3 Limited Edition will also be available, and customers can have it with a manual or automatic transmission.

As in Malaysia, the launch of the Saga in Pakistan was done online due to the present COVID-19 pandemic making large gatherings unsuitable.

Present at the launch was the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, Ikram Mohammad Ibrahim. Encik Ikram said that he hoped Proton’s operations in the country will further strengthen economic ties with Malaysia.

Following the launch of the X70 in December last year, the Saga is the second model to be offered in Pakistan. Currently, all Proton models are imported from Malaysia in completely built-up (CBU) form but the company’s partner, Al-Haj Automotive, is preparing for local assembly operations at its new plant in Karachi by the third quarter of 2021.

With a planned capacity of 25,000 units per annum, the plant will enable sales of Proton cars to grow quickly in the market which Proton sees as having much growth potential. “I am thankful to our fellow Pakistanis for making the Proton Saga an instant success in Pakistan. This car will definitely stand out for its reliability, durability and value for money,” said Hilal Khan Afridi, CEO of Al-Haj Automotive, who is confident that Pakistani customers will be attracted to the Proton brand and its products.

100 units of the Saga R3 Limited Edition will be sold in Pakistan.

As the second quarter of 2021 starts off, Proton is looking to increase its international market presence to achieve its long-term goals. Besides the Saga – the volume seller in most markets – the X70 and X50 are also being exported.

“Exports are an important pillar for PROTON and will account for an increasing percentage of our sales volume in coming years. Aside from promoting the features of our products, we also leverage on the high quality reputation of Malaysia’s manufacturing sector, which lends credibility to our own product story. In 2021, aside from exploring new opportunities, we will also ramp-up efforts to re-enter major ASEAN markets such as Thailand and Indonesia,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

Archive

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube