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Proton X70

Brunei was the first export market for the Proton X70 and now the upgraded units from the Tanjung Malim plant are also being exported there. Launched recently, the X70  is available in Brunei in three variants – Standard, Executive and Premium X. Prices start from BND36,000 (about RM110,000) and as a launch promotion, buyers can get a rebate of BND1,500 (about RM4,600).

In Brunei, the X70 has ranked among the top three in its segment despite having barely had a full year of  sales. The country has not escaped the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on business and its new vehicle sales have also gone through a period of decline this year. However, with 7,609  units sold up to the end of July. It appears that the market is trending towards at least being on par with last year.

X70 joins the updated Proton range launched in January.

PAD Motors Proton Brunei, the distributor for Proton in the country, offers customers a 5-year warranty with no limit on mileage and free labour for 5 visits. Earlier in 2020, it also launched the updated Iriz, Saga and Persona.

“Proton is excited the Malaysian-made 2020 Proton X70 has been launched in its first export market as exports will play an increasingly important role in growing our sales. With its combination of innovative features and comprehensive list of safety equipment, we believe the X70 will gain support from car buyers not only in Brunei,  where it has already attracted a strong following, but also wherever it is sold around the world,” said Roslan  Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

Proton’s second SUV model will be adapted from the Geely Binyue/Coolray shown above.

Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Proton is preparing for the launch of the new X50 SUV following the roll-out of the first units next week. Already shown momentarily in a Merdeka video created by the carmaker, the model goes straight into local manufacture, unlike the X70 which was initially made in China. It is adapted from Geely’s Binyue/Coolray. It is expected to have a 1.5-litre, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine with a dual-clutch transmission which is the popular specification for the model that is also being sold in the Philippines.

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BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

After suffering loss of production and sales in March, April and May this year due to the Movement Control Order suspending most commercial activities, a rebound has been evident in new vehicle  sales. With the sales tax-exemption incentives provided by the government, which will last till the end of the year, June sales are expected to be strong when the Malaysian Automotive Association releases the full data.

Meanwhile, Proton reports that its total number of sales was 9,623 units for June. This is the second highest volume for the brand in 2020. The number also represents a 69.5% growth over May 2020 and a 26.3% increase over the same month in 2019 when the world wasn’t affected by a pandemic.

Proton Sales H1 2019 2020
Data sources: Proton and Malaysian Automotive Association

Saga sells the most
The models contributing to the surge in sales were the Saga, X70 and Persona. The Saga, which  celebrates its 35th anniversary this month, had its best sales month in nearly 6 years with 4,447 units sold.

1,909 units of the X70 were delivered to new owners around the country while the Persona retained its position as the best-seller in the B-segment sedan category for a second consecutive month.

The cumulative volume for Proton after the first 6 months of 2020 is just slightly over 37,000 units and the company estimates its market share to be 21.2%, a 6.5% increase against the same period last year.

Proton Saga
The Saga celebrates its 35th birthday this month.

Busy second half of 2020 expected
“Proton’s sales in the first full month of business since February have been encouraging. While we remain cautiously optimistic for the second half of 2020, the demand for Malaysian cars in general and Proton vehicles in particular points towards increased consumer confidence in our products. This interest has also been buoyed by the recently announced sales tax holiday which, in our opinion, has stimulated demand”, said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

Encik Roslan said the second half of the year will be a busy one. ”Kicking things off will be our 35th anniversary celebration for the Proton Saga. We hope to use the occasion as a springboard for other activities this year as we continue our efforts to redefine Proton’s customer experience via a mix of 3S/4S outlets and innovative new products,” he added.

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Following the earlier announcement that an N95-grade Cabin Filter will be installed in the latest Proton X70 SUV, the carmaker has announced that it is also introducing the Proton  Intelligent Air Purification System (P-IAPS) that combines the benefits of the filter and an Air Purifier System.

The P-IAPS will be offered as standard equipment on the 2020 X70 as a comprehensive method to improve cabin air quality. The system also provides enhanced filtration for the air flowing to the vents for the rear occupants.

The new N95 Cabin Filter is capable of removing 95% of particles larger than 0.3 microns and also removes 98% of PM2.5 dust particulates. It is therefore an effective barrier against smoke particulates, dust, bacteria and other pollutants. It filters air in both fresh and recirculation modes for the air-conditioning system.

Proton X70 PIAPS

The existing Air Purifier System fitted to all Proton X70s will remain. It uses a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter that removes 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 microns. It also has an activated carbon filter which removes odours, formaldehyde and adsorbs and purifies smoke particulates.

Additionally, a built-in ioniser discharges negative ions to cleanse the air. The ions are electrically charged and attract tiny airborne particles, causing them to drop from the air. By combining the Air Purifier System with the N95 Cabin Filter, the P-IAPS acts as a barrier against contaminated air making its way into the cabin, offering a high level of protection against airborne pollutants for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Proton X70 PIAPS

Proton does not, however, mention filtering viruses which have diameters of approximately 0.125 microns. The smallest particles are 0.06 microns, and the largest are 0.14 microns. Nevertheless, improving the air quality is still good since you spend a lot of time inside the car daily.

“Proton is constantly looking at ways to improve our offerings. The introduction of the N95 Cabin Filter is particularly relevant in today’s global environment and by improving the quality of air in the cabin, we hope to deliver a comfortable contaminant-free experience to our customers. For now, P-IAPS will only be offered on the Proton X70 but our designers and engineers are working to fit the N95 cabin filter in our other models too,” said Dr. Li Chunrong, COE of Proton.

Whilst the N95 Cabin Filter will be fitted on new units of the 2020 Proton X70 produced at Tanjung Malim, Perak, those who already have the SUV can upgrade their dust and pollen filter to the N95 Cabin Filter for RM79 (excluding labour charges). Contact any authorised Proton service outlet for more information. A service campaign scheduled to run from May 19 – August 18, 2020 will offer 15% discount on the price of the filter.

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The current COVID-19 pandemic crisis is depressing and everyone is uncertain about the future. Hopefully, it will come to an end before long and we can return to normalcy although we may need to be more conscious of personal hygiene and care more for each other’s safety.

Where cars are concerned, some may be considering buying a new vehicle, perhaps as an overdue replacement to their old one which may be costing too much to maintain. Or there may just be a need for an additional car in the home.

Proton X70
The latest X70, made in Malaysia.

You can’t go to the showrooms at this time due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) which, hopefully, ends on April 14, 2020. In the meantime, if you are considering the latest Proton X70, the carmaker has launched its WhatsApp chatbot which can provide information on the details, promotions and features of the popular SUV, now made in Malaysia.

The chatbot serves as an alternative channel of communication with Proton and is one of several initiatives the carmaker is taking to provide convenience for customers – while also keeping in mind their safety. It does not, however, respond to natural language or questions from users. Instead, users just need to send replies in the form of numbers to get more information on corresponding topics.

Through the chatbot, accessible via https://bit.ly/HiProtonX70, customers can learn more about X70 variants and their prices, specification, sales offerings, trade-in offers, and Proton Financing. They can also register their interest in making a purchase.

Proton

Incidentally, for those who wish to make a booking at this time, you need to pay only RM99.00 for a new X70 and RM.9.99 for an Iriz, Saga,Persona or Exora. This offer is applicable only for online bookings at www.proton.com.

Social distance

Social distancing

BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

Like Geely Auto, its sister company in the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Proton has also been contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus. With the frontliners being the vital force in this battle, Proton has provided 50 vehicles to the Malaysian Ministry of Health for its use.

The vehicles, all Proton X70s, will primarily be used to ferry medical workers to and from work as well as to any hotspots in the country in need of urgent attention.

PROTON and KKM staff

Meanwhile, the carmaker has also provided vehicle owners with some tips on what to do with their vehicles which may have remained unused for up to 28 days due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) which began on March 18 and is set to end on April 14.

Here are 4 tips from Proton that you can carry out at your home:

Stay charged up
While technology has progressed since the early years of automobile production, one fact remains – a vehicle engine needs to be started periodically (the recommended period is every 7 days) in order to maintain functionality. This particularly applies to the battery which stores electricity that is used to start the engine and provide electrical power to also power systems.

Battery

If the engine is not run frequently, the alternator is unable to charge the battery and it will lose its energy. To avoid this, start your vehicle’s engine and keep it running for 10 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery.

Run only the engine during those 10 minutes and keep all other systems off. If your vehicle is not parked without your home compound, do remember to lock it when you have finished!

Keep the pressure up
Tyre pressures should be checked bi-weekly to ensure they are at the recommended levels. To know what the right pressure is, you can refer to the Owner’s Manual or the sticker that is usually found on inside face of the door pillar next to the driver’s seat.

Then check the pressures of all tyres using a tyre pressure gauge. If you have an X70, you can also use the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System display to see the pressures. Should the pressures be lower than recommended, go to the nearest petrol station to get them to the right pressure.

Tyres

Additionally, leaving your vehicle parked in the same spot for several days could result in flat spots on your tyres. Eventually, the tyre will lose its circular shape which can cause vibrations to be transmitted through the steering wheel when driving, even on smooth roads. To avoid this, move your vehicle forwards or backwards when you’re charging the vehicle’s battery.

Remember the wipers
If your vehicle is going to be parked in the open under the sun for this extended period, it’s good practice to keep windscreen wipers lifted up. The glass can get very hot under the sun and the heat transfer from the glass as well as prolonged exposure to UV rays will cause the wiper blades to harden, making them less effective.

Wipers

Dashboard

Keep the inside sanitized
Especially at this time, hygiene is vital and it’s a good idea to practise sanitising your hands and the surfaces you’ve touched, particularly in your vehicle. After each journey, make sure you use some disinfectant to wipe surfaces like the steering wheel, door handles, window switches and gear lever. If you have an audio system with a touchscreen, mist some disinfectant onto a soft cloth and gently wipe the surface. Take extra care not to overdo it as too much moisture could damage the vehicle’s equipment surface.

StayAtHome

Social distancing

With domestic market sales on the upswing, Proton is now giving attention to exports, which will be crucial for its future. Its products have been well accepted in neighbouring countries and can be exported duty-free under the provision of the AFTA agreement.

Following the launch of the Proton X70 in July last year, Pad Motors Sdn Bhd, the distributor for Proton in Brunei has received its first shipment of the updated Iriz, Saga and Persona models. Brunei is the first market outside Malaysia to begin selling these models and the distributor will be introducing them more actively with a roadshow starting on January 28.

Proton Brunei

Proton Brunei

Focus on growing export volume
After a successful 2019 saw the total sales volume grow by 55.7% – which Proton expects will place it in second overall position – the Malaysian carmaker is now looking to improve its performance in 2020 in export volumes.

“The export market will play an increasingly important role in growing Proton’s annual sales. When we updated the Proton Iriz, Persona, Exora and Saga last year, we did so while taking in to account the needs of markets outside of Malaysia and today, three of those cars are now available in Brunei. It’s a good start to 2020 but as the year progresses, we will be looking to export our cars to more countries,” said Dr. Li Chunrong, Proton’s CEO.

Proton
The Middle East is one of the regions where Proton is already exporting to.

Aiming for No.3 in ASEAN
Dr. Li added that Proton’s long-term intention is to be the best-selling brand in Malaysia and Number 3 in ASEAN by 2027. In order to meet the ASEAN target, export volumes will need to be boosted in coming years.

Aside from its updated models, Proton will also be looking to grow sales of the X70. With 2020 versions already leaving the production line at the Tanjung Malim (which has a new RM1.2 billion extension), the carmaker now has the option of expanding the footprint for its SUV which recently won the 18th Malaysia Cars of the Year overall award.

Proton Tg Malim 2019
With an additional investment of RM1.2 billion for an extension at the Tg. Malim factory in Perak, Proton can now plan for bigger export volumes in coming years.

“Exporting the Proton X70 will be critical for Proton’s future sales growth, especially in neighbouring ASEAN countries. It will spearhead the introduction of the next generation of Proton models currently being jointly developed with Geely and will lay the groundwork for the brand with customers in these markets,” added Dr Li Chunrong.

Visit www.proton.com.my to know more about the X70 and other models in the Proton range.

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Malaysia Cars of the Year 2019

In its 18th year running, the Malaysian Car of the Year (COTY) program – now known as Malaysia Cars of Year Awards – saw Proton receiving the top award of Overall Car of the Year for the first time. The award was for the Proton X70 SUV, a model which has helped to not only bring people back to the brand’s showrooms but also restored pride and confidence in what is still seen as a national marque.

Proton X70

Proton

Proton’s CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong (above), was also voted the Automotive Man of the Year in recognition of his leadership in turning the company around and putting it on a forward and upward trajectory. His strategy of upgrading showrooms to enhance the customer experience and boost quality in products and services has paid off with Proton doing much better during 2019.

The other category winners were as follow:

Passenger Cars
Entry Level – Proton Saga 1.3 (Facelift)
Compact Car – Toyota Yaris
Family Sedan/Hatchback – Mazda3 2.0 SKYACTIV
Premium Compact Executive – Mercedes-Benz A250
Large Family Sedan – Kia Optima GT
Premium Executive – BMW 330i M Sport
Large Premium Executive Sedan – BMW 530e M Sport (PHEV)
C suite – BMW 740L

SUV & Crossovers
People-Mover – Perodua Aruz 1.5
Compact Crossover & SUVs – Honda HR-V 1.5 Hybrid
Midsize Crossover & SUVs (5 Seaters) – Proton X70
Midsize Crossover & SUVs (7 Seaters) – Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 Diesel
Premium Midsize SUVs – Porsche Macan
Premium Luxury SUVs – Mercedes-Benz GLC 63
Premium Compact SUV – Volvo XC40 T5

Others
Pick-Up Truck – Ford Ranger 2.0 XLT
MPV – Kia Grand Carnival 2.2D (facelift)
Hot Hatch – Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup
Coupe – BMW M2 Competition

BMW i3 & Nissan LEAF
These two models spearhead the dawn of the EV age in Malaysia.

Honorable Mentions – Electric Vehicles
BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF

Past Overall Award Winners
2018 – Peugeot 3008
2017 – Honda Jazz Hybrid
2016 – Honda Civic 1.5 TC
2015 – Mazda2
2014 – Honda City
2013 – Volkswagen Golf GTI
2012 – Ford Ranger 2.2 XLT
2011 – Peugeot RCZ
2010 – Volkswagen Passat
2009 – Peugeot 308 Turbo
2008 – Mazda6
2007 – Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GT
2006 – Honda Civic
2005 – Mercedes-Benz CLS
2004 – BMW 530d
2003 – Volvo XC90
2002 – Perodua Kelisa

Honda Civic
Many different models have won the overall award over the years, with Honda having won the most times.

Previous Recipients – AUTOMOTIVE MAN OF THE YEAR
2018 – Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad (Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award)
2017 – Datuk Dr. Zahari Husin, MD, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
2016 – Yoichiro Ueno, CEO and MD, Honda Malaysia
2015 – Roland Folger, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
2014 – Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, President & CEO, Perodua
2013 – Datuk Ben Yeoh, Managing Director, Bermaz Motor
2012 – Datuk Samson Anand George, Chief Operating Officer, Nasim Sdn Bhd
2011 – Datuk JP Chin, Principal, JPM Motorsports
2010 – SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman, NAZA Group of Companies
2009 – Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar (Perodua) and Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng (Edaran Tan Chong Motor)
2008 – Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir, (Proton)
2007 – Datuk Saw Choo Boon (Shell Malaysia)
2006 – Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin (Naza)
2005 – Datuk Frank Steinleitner, (DaimlerChrysler Malaysia)
2004 – Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Ariff (Proton)
2003 – Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Omar (Perodua)
2002 – Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin (Naza)

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Since 2015, the total annual sales of Proton vehicles have been below 100,000 units but 2019 saw it cross the 100,000 mark again to record a total sales volume of 100,821 units (including exports). The achievement was helped by a boost in December which were the highest for the whole of 2019 – 11,117 units which was 112% over the corresponding month in 2018 and also the first time the carmaker has sold more than 11,000 cars in a month since July 2014.

While the December sales number is equivalent to a 20.5% share of the anticipated Total Industry Volume (TIV) for the month (pending release of official data by the Malaysian Automotive Association), the final number represents an increase of 55.7% over 2018’s TIV. Proton believes it achieved the strongest sales growth among the top 5 brands in Malaysia in 2019, with overall market share estimated to be at 16.7%.

Proton sales 2015 ~ 2019
NB: 2019 sales include exports.

Proton X70

Segment leaders
According to a statement by the company this afternoon, Proton’s sales growth was powered by the X70 SUV, along with double-digit percentage increases in sales for the 4 updated models it launched in 2019. The X70 began its first full year of sales strongly and was the fastest-selling SUV in its class. It maintained its position at the head of its segment for the entire year and ended 2019 with a total of 26,331 units sold, which Proton says makes it the leader within its segment.

Meanwhile, sales of the Saga continued on an upward trajectory after appearing in showrooms on August 6. In December, 3,892 units of the youngest model in Proton’s current range – and also the brand’s oldest nameplate – were registered nationwide, a number which Proton says makes it the most popular A-segment sedan. Total sales for 2019 closed at 38,144 units, equivalent to a 36% increase in volume.

2019 Proton Saga

Unfortunately, comparisons of official data will not be possible for another 12 months since the powerful Competition Commission will not allow the transparency of data being published that allows the public to verify such information.

The Persona ended the month with 3,384 units sold, the highest for the model since March 2012 and presumed to be the leader in its segment. Despite a few low months before the improved 2019 model was released, the total sales volume still grew by 29% to 21,876 units for the year.

Proton Persona

Proton Iriz and Exora
Sales for the Iriz (left) nearly doubled during 2019 and grew by 97% following the launch of the updated 2019 model in April. The Exora, which has been around for over 10 years, soldiers on and remains a popular choice for those requiring an affordable 7-seater MPV.

Major contributions by X70 and Saga
“The Proton X70 and the Proton Saga are two major ingredients to Proton’s sales success this year. We are humbled by the popularity of the Proton X70 and would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to all our customers for their support, despite it being a brand new market segment for the company. As for the Saga, with over 41,000 bookings and counting, it remains as our core product and is a popular choice regardless of a buyer’s age, status and purchasing power, making it a car for all Malaysians,” Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of Proton said.

“While sales of the Persona were very strong following the launch of the updated model, the numbers posted in December show many are becoming increasingly aware of the outstanding features, practicality and value we offer in our family sedan. Proton is confident of maintaining these numbers in 2020, so the company has at least three sales leaders in their respective segments,” he added.

Proton range 2019

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Following the visit of Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to Pakistan earlier this year where he gifted the Prime Minister of Pakistan a Proton X70, the SUV has now been delivered to the government of Pakistan.

Proton X70

To date, over 26,000 units of the X70 have been delivered in the domestic market and exports are starting as well. In the case of Pakistan, plans were finalised in March this year to build an assembly plant that will be owned and operated by ALHAJ Automotive, Proton’s business partner there. Vehicle manufacturing is not a new activity for the ALHAJ Group as it has a subsidiary which has been producing FAW vehicles for a number of years.

Production is targeted to begin in 2021 with the X70 as the first of several models that will be sold in Pakistan. The long-term goal is to sell 400,000 vehicles by 2027. Just as in Malaysia, assembling its vehicles locally will allow Proton to have more attractive pricing as duties are lower for vehicles assembled in the country.

Proton Tg Malim
Parts for the X70 will be sent from Proton’s Tg. Malim factory in completely knocked-down (CKD) packs for assembly at the ALHAJ Automotive plant in Pakistan.

The brand new assembly plant will be located in Karachi, Pakistan’s industrial and financial centre. The initial investment will be US$30 million (around RM124.3 million) and 2,000 direct employment opportunities are expected to be created in its first 3 years of operations. It is estimated that a further 20,000 indirect jobs will also be created as a result of the new plant being commissioned.

“Proton sees a lot of potential in Pakistan and as Malaysia is the only Muslim country to have its own automotive brand, both our countries are natural partners who have so much to share with each other. The Proton X70 has won several awards at home and we hope that eventually, it can accomplish the same feats when it arrives here,” said Mohd Khalid Yusof, Proton’s Director of Investment and Promotion.

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As consumer purchase patterns change and shopping online becomes more popular, some car companies have strived to meet these new developments by offering their products online. Their initial efforts have not been in a big way nor long-term as they want to see the effectiveness first. Proton is among those companies and recently collaborated with Shopee to explore new avenues to connect with its customers.

“Commerce today has changed drastically from what it was even as recently as just 5 to 10 years ago. Proton has to keep up with these changes to remain relevant and while we are pursuing our strategy to increase customer touchpoints via the growth of 3S/4S outlets, we must also utilise technology to drive mobility for the business. Our campaign with Shopee is a good example as it offers ease and convenience for consumers but also puts them in contact with our network of outlets for aftersales services,” said Dr Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.

Proton
Online shopping is becoming popular but for purchases of cars, the process of loan approvals and vehicle registration in Malaysia still require direct contact between the sales representative and the customer to finalise documentation.

Over 200 units booked online
Over 200 units of the X70 SUV were booked in the first few days of the ecommerce platform’s 12.12 Birthday Sale, and as a special incentive, customers using Shopee are able to place a booking for just RM99 instead of the usual RM1,000 booking fee.

The first 50 Proton X70 customers who successfully register their vehicle before December 31, 2019 will also receive RM2,000 of Shopee vouchers and enjoy additional ongoing promotions for the month by Proton.

Proton X70 online 2018

This isn’t the first time Proton is using the internet to allow customers to book its cars. Prior to its launch on December 12, 2018, the X70 SUV could be booked online from October, contributing to the pre-launch booking of over 10,000 units.

An alternative sales platform in future
A similar campaign was also utilised for the launch of other models in 2019 with the success experienced pointing to the increased importance of the channel. “We started to enable online bookings of our cars since late 2018 and over the next few years, we could expand the use of this as a sales platform. With improved online security and transaction platforms becoming widely accepted, there could be a time when financing could be applied for and approved online so Proton aims to be at the forefront of adopting these new technologies,” added Dr Li Chunrong.

Click here for other news and articles on Proton.

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