Mengikut laporan Motoqar minggu lalu berhubung pemilik Proton S70 Flagship X mengalami 73 masalah pada kereta sedannya, pemiliknya, Ku Azhar Ku Razi, 34, telah memberikan maklumat terkini mengenai situasi tersebut. Ku Azhar mendedahkan keretanya telah dibawa ke Pusat Kecemerlangan Proton di Shah Alam untuk penilaian.
“Pada 17 Mac, tiga wakil daripada Proton tiba dan mengesahkan sejumlah 83 isu tulen dengan kereta itu, yang akan diperiksa secara menyeluruh,” kata Ku Azhar.
Dia seterusnya menyebut keretanya telah selamat diangkut ke ibu pejabat Proton di Shah Alam. Selain itu, jumlah isu meningkat kepada 83 selepas panel pemeriksaan mengenal pasti kecacatan kosmetik tambahan.
Following Motoqar’s report last week regarding a Proton S70 Flagship X owner experiencing 73 problems with his sedan, the owner, Ku Azhar Ku Razi, 34, has provided an update on the situation. Ku Azhar revealed that his car has been taken to the Proton Center of Excellence in Shah Alam for assessment.
“On March 17, three representatives from Proton arrived and confirmed a total of 83 genuine issues with the car, which will be thoroughly examined,” Ku Azhar stated.
He further mentioned that his car had been safely transported to Proton’s headquarters in Shah Alam. Additionally, the tally of issues increased to 83 after the inspection panel identified an additional cosmetic defect.
Proton has come a long way since the launch of the first-generation Proton Saga back in 1985. They have evolved and adapted to current trends to ensure their survival in the ever-changing automotive market.
How? Well, we all know Proton’s collaboration with Geely to introduce models that can compete with other manufacturers. But does it stand out from the rest? We recently got to test out Proton’s latest model, the Proton S70. Now, Proton claims it to be a C-Segment sedan. This means the S70 is competing with the Toyota Corolla Altis and the Honda Civic.
However, the S70 is a rebadge of the Geely Emgrand sedan, which is a B-Segment sedan. So we don’t think that the S70 belongs in the C-Segment and it should actually be competing with the Honda City and Toyota Vios. But even then, is the S70 better than the two?
Visually, the car looks pleasing. It has a sporty yet elegant design with refined lines and curves. The LED taillights are something we really love because of their striking light bar that does a little dance when you unlock and lock the car. The front grille is adorned with chrome pin inserts and LED projector headlamps, which also does a little dance.
If you’re getting the Flagship X, which is the variant we drove, you get a sunroof. Not ideal for our Malaysian weather, but it looks cool. It also comes with 17-inch 10-spoke wheels wrapped in Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 tires.
There was nothing not to like about the S70’s visual cues because it is a pretty good-looking car. We were given the one in Teal Bayou Green, which is one of the best options because it brings out the elegance in the car. We managed to turn some heads too! However, the more popular choice is Marine Blue because it has a three-month waiting period.
Moving on to the interior. This is where we have some complaints. Now, the S70 measures 4,638mm long, 1,820mm wide, and 1,460mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,650mm. This makes it slightly smaller than the Emgrand but larger than the Proton Preve. This writer has owned a Preve before and would like to point out that the Preve had more legroom than the S70. For the driver, it’s no issue to adjust the seat to however you’re comfortable with. However, if you’re a rear-seat passenger, you may struggle as the rear legroom space is horrible.
For it to be a family sedan or a “C-Segment” sedan, this should not be an issue. We took our family for a drive, and they struggled to get in and out of the car. The driver and front passenger had to get out of the car and push the seats to the front to allow the rear-seat passengers to get out. If the ones sitting at the back are elderly, tall, and people, they might struggle a bit more. So we were very disappointed with the interior spacing. If it’s just the driver and a front passenger, it’s fine because you have the luxury of pushing your seats to the back.
Now on to the infotainment system. The S70 comes with a 10.3-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Decent sizing compared to the TV screens that some cars nowadays get. The biggest flaw is that it does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and we absolutely hate this. If this were integrated, it would have made life so much easier. But not to worry, Proton has stated that these features will soon be added, and a simple software update is needed. Unless you own older models, then a hardware upgrade will be needed.
Adding to the frustration, the positioning of the infotainment screen on the S70 is rather annoying. We feel like it is too close to the air conditioning vents. If you are the type of person who relies on using your phone for Google Maps or Waze, it’s going to be an issue because the only option you have for a phone holder is the one with the suction cup that sticks to the windshield.
Although it can be done, it will leave a mark on the windshield. This writer personally uses the one that clips onto the air conditioning vents and that was a hassle because the pop-out buttons that are below the vents were in the way of the phone, and the infotainment screen was bulging out a bit that the clip could not fully be latched on. So we had no choice but to use the driver-side air conditioning vent. Which meant that the said vent was useless, other than cooling down the phone.
Yes, we know that there are many options when it comes to phone holders, but it is still a hassle to find one that suits this car perfectly.
Sometimes, physical buttons are the best way to go, in our books at least. But some somethings were not taken into consideration such as switching the drive modes, adjusting the air conditioning temperature, and operating the sunroof. You must go through the infotainment screen to do so.
The integrated GPS can be a little buggy as it stopped halfway while we were using it. But thankfully Proton’s voice command worked well so we were able to set the GPS again without messing around with the screen.
Now let’s talk power. The Geely Emgrand is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine that puts out 102PS and 142Nm of torque. Proton S70 has a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-three which is also found in the Proton X50. This pushes the power a little bit higher to 150PS and 226Nm of torque. It’s paired with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.
The S70 struggles a little bit when you hit the throttle because the power only kicks in after a few seconds. Only when it gets going, you will feel the power. We find it to be just enough. If you need a little bit more kick, you can switch it to Sports mode which sharpens the throttle response and the brakes become a bit more sensitive in a good way. However, the throttle can feel a little choppy at times but it takes getting used to. The auto-hold function works perfectly fine and you can play around with it to see which suits you best.
Another thing that we noticed is that the engine sound can get a bit loud especially if the car is idling. Inside, you won’t hear it that much unless you floor it, but when standing outside, it is very noticeable.
The flat-bottomed steering wheel feels comfortable and gives us the confidence to take corners and because of the front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam, the S70 takes corners like a champion. On the highway, Sports mode is the way to go, unless you’re stuck in traffic then we suggest switching it to Eco mode but around the city, Comfort mode would be the better choice.
When we picked up the car, we had a full tank and a total driving range of 777km. After all the driving and testing, we still had around 250km left. So it is safe to say that there will be no range anxiety when it comes to the S70.
For a car that is priced at RM94,800 (OTR without insurance), it comes with a decent amount of safety features. The ones that we used often were the Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention. And if anything were to happen, the S70 comes with six airbags.
The S70 1.5T Executive is priced at RM73,800, the Premium at RM79,800, the Flagship at RM89,800 and the Flagship X at RM94,800. We were amazed by how low the prices were when Proton first announced them.
The Honda City’s pricing starts from RM84,900 to RM111,900 and the Toyota Vios is from RM89,600 to RM95,500. So the S70’s prices are more affordable compared to the two competitors.
The question now is, would we get the S70? If we were willing to sacrifice legroom space, not having Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, then perhaps we might get it. But this is just our two cents about it. Perhaps you, the readers, might have a different perspective about the Proton S70.
Specifications
Engine: 1.5 litre turbocharged inline-three
Transmission: Seven-speed wet dual-clutch
Power: 150PS
Torque: 226Nm
Price (as tested): RM94,800
We like: Looks, Feel and Price
We don’t like: Lack of space, infotainment system, and choppy throttle
More than a hundred parts suppliers and vendors associated with Proton Holdings Bhd are facing severe financial strain due to escalating operational costs. Despite efforts by the Proton Vendors Association (PVA) to engage with the national carmaker regarding their challenges, appeals have gone unanswered, leading to a precarious business environment for suppliers.
According to NST, Datuk Liu Guoquan, president of the Malaysian Fujian General Chamber of Commerce, suppliers are grappling with decreased orders, resulting in financial instability. Proton’s failure to meet promised quantities of parts orders for its models, including the X50, X70, and X90, has led to a production output reduction of 30% to 50%, exacerbating the situation for suppliers.
The financial strain faced by suppliers poses a significant threat to the automotive industry chain, potentially affecting approximately 50,000 employees. Many vendors are experiencing financial losses and some are forced to cease operations altogether, raising concerns about the industry’s sustainability.
Lawatan media ke Proton Parts Centre Sdn Bhd (PPCSB) memberikan gambaran tentang ekosistem pergudangan syarikat dan menggariskan perkembangan terkini dalam pelan penambahbaikan pergudangan rantaian bekalan alat ganti Proton untuk 2024. Terletak di Taman Perindustrian Hicom-Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Selangor, PPCSB telah menjadi pemain utama dalam perdagangan komponen kenderaan bermotor, alat ganti, dan aksesori di seluruh dunia sejak penubuhannya pada tahun 1992.
Fakta dan angka yang dibentangkan semasa lawatan memberikan gambaran mengenai pelanggan yang luas di PPCSB, yang termasuk 354 Pengedar Badan & Cat, Stokis, dan Pusat Servis Berlesen, bersama dengan 26 pengedar luar negara. Secara ketara, PPCSB telah memperluas ruang gudangnya sebanyak lebih dari 35% dalam dua tahun terakhir, mencerminkan pelaburan strategik untuk meningkatkan pegangan stok dan memastikan bekalan pasaran tepat pada masanya di semua kawasan.
The media visit to Proton Parts Centre Sdn Bhd (PPCSB) provided insight into the company’s robust warehousing ecosystem and outlined the latest developments in Proton’s parts supply chain warehousing improvement plan for 2024. Located in the Hicom-Glenmarie Industrial Park, Shah Alam, Selangor, PPCSB has been a key player in the worldwide trading of motor vehicle components, spare parts, and accessories since its inception in 1992.
Facts and figures presented during the visit shed light on PPCSB’s extensive customer base, which includes 354 Body & Paint, Stockist, and Authorised Service Dealers, along with 26 overseas distributors. Notably, PPCSB has significantly expanded its warehouse space by over 35% in the past two years, reflecting a strategic investment to enhance stock holdings and ensure timely market supply across all regions.
Dalam usaha Proton untuk terus memperluaskan perniagaan, jenama automotif nasional sedang mempelbagaikan operasi dan aliran pendapatannya dengan meneroka peluang di dalam dan di luar ekosistem automotif. Peneraju usaha ini adalah Proton Global Services (PGS), anak syarikat milik Proton Edar, yang dalam masa yang singkat mengukuhkan dirinya sebagai penyumbang utama kepada rangkaian perniagaan Proton.
Ditubuhkan pada tahun 2021 dengan hanya satu outlet makanan dan minuman dan barangan cenderahati, PGS telah meluaskan skop operasinya dengan kini merangkumi enam bidang utama, iaitu Gaya Hidup, Kejuruteraan, Latihan, Tenaga Baharu, Logistik dan R3 Motorsports. Dipimpin oleh Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Lee Yeet Chuan, pendapatan telah meningkat secara eksponen daripada kurang RM1 juta pada tahun 2021 miningkat pula 19 kali ganda pada akhir tahun 2023.
Bagi pembeli dan peminat Proton, bidang perniagaan yang paling ketara ialah bahagian Gaya Hidup dan R3 Motorsports. Yang pertama untuk menguruskan perniagaan Proton Café dan barangan Proton manakala yang kedua menumpukan pada membangunkan varian prestasi dan menjalankan aktiviti perlumbaan Proton.
Proton Café yang dilancarkan pada tahun 2021 menawarkan kopi premium dan makanan kepada pelanggan dalam suasana yang santai. Setakat ini, 16 cawangan beroperasi di pengedar Proton dengan rancangan untuk mengembangkan jejak perniagaan kepada 25 cawangan menjelang tahun 2025. Bagi barangan cenderahati, barangan berjenama Proton sudah lama dijual, tetapi PGS telah mula pengkomersilan. Bagi memenuhi permintaan untuk barangan berjenama Proton dan R3, kini terdapat 20 rakan kongsi barangan Proton di seluruh negara serta kedai maya di protonmerchandise.com untuk jualan dalam talian.
Bahagian perniagaannya yang paling dikenali, R3 Motorsports meraikan ulang tahunnya yang ke-20 pada tahun 2023 dengan pelancaran Proton X50 R3 edisi Ulang Tahun Ke-20. Tahun ini mereka memberi tumpuan untuk membangunkan kereta lumba Proton S70 R3 dengan matlamat untuk menyertai perlumbaan S1K, dan meningkatkan jualan minyak pelincir R3 berprestasi tinggi.
Selain meneroka peluang jualan komersil, PGS juga menjalankan projek dalam ekosistem Proton. Ini membolehkan syarikat induk menerima hasil tambahan kerana keuntungan dikongsi dengan Proton Edar. Contoh projek sedemikian termasuk menukar lampu di casting plant Proton kepada unit penjimatan tenaga yang lebih cekap dan membekalkan perabot serta mentauliahkan ruang pejabat baharu untuk pemindahan jabatan ke Proton Tanjong Malim.
Bahagian Tenaga Baharu pula memberi tumpuan kepada pengenalan tenaga yang boleh diperbaharui untuk membantu penarafan ESG syarikat sambil menjual penyelesaian bagi penjimatan kegunaan tenaga. Inisiatif yang dijalankan termasuk penjualan dan pemasangan sel PV solar kepada pengedar dan vendor Proton serta bekerjasama dengan rakan kongsi untuk membina bukti konsep untuk pengecasan EV mudah alih.
As Proton continues to advance its business expansion efforts, the national automotive brand is diversifying its operations and revenue streams by exploring opportunities both within and beyond the automotive ecosystem. Leading this initiative is Proton Global Services (PGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Proton Edar, which has rapidly become a significant contributor to Proton’s business network.
Established in 2021 with just one F&B and merchandise outlet, PGS has significantly broadened its scope of operations to now include six key areas: Lifestyle, Engineering, Training, New Energy, Logistics, and R3 Motorsports. Under the leadership of its CEO, Lee Yeet Chuan, revenues have surged from below RM1 million in 2021 to 19 times that amount by the end of 2023.
For Proton buyers and enthusiasts, the most visible areas of PGS’s business are the Lifestyle and R3 Motorsports divisions. The Lifestyle division manages the Proton Café and sells Proton merchandise, while R3 Motorsports focuses on developing performance variants and overseeing Proton’s racing activities.
The Proton Café, launched in 2021, offers customers freshly brewed premium coffee and food items in a relaxed atmosphere. Currently, 16 outlets operate at Proton dealerships, with plans to expand to 25 outlets by 2025. Additionally, Proton branded merchandise, previously available, is now commercially marketed under PGS. Leveraging the demand for Proton and R3 branded items, there are currently 20 Proton merchandise partners nationwide, alongside a virtual shop at protonmerchandise.com for online sales.
R3 Motorsports, perhaps the most recognisable division, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023 with the launch of the Proton X50 R3 20th Anniversary Edition. This year, the focus is on developing a Proton S70 R3 racing car with the aim of participating in the S1K race, while also boosting sales for their high-performance R3 lubricants.
Beyond retail opportunities, PGS undertakes projects within Proton’s ecosystem, providing additional revenue streams as profits are shared with Proton Edar. Examples include upgrading lighting at Proton’s casting plant for energy efficiency and supplying furniture and commissioning office space for department transfers to Proton Tanjong Malim.
The New Energy division focuses on renewable energy introduction to improve the company’s ESG rating and retails energy-efficient solutions. Initiatives include selling and installing solar PV cells to Proton dealers and vendors and collaborating on mobile EV charging proof of concept projects.
Operasi terkini yang dilakukan oleh Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat untuk menangani aktiviti meminta sedekah di pasar malam Sri Jaya, Maran, Pahang, telah membongkar seorang lelaki yang menyara dirinya melalui meminta sedekah tetapi memiliki sebuah kenderaan utiliti sport (SUV).
Menurut NST, semasa operasi itu, pegawai agensi telah mengamati seorang lelaki tempatan yang memakai jubah dan memakai taqiyah, melintasi pasar malam dan meminta sumbangan dari orang yang lalu di situ. Penampilannya, bersama dengan tangannya yang kecil, pada mulanya membuat pegawai menganggap bahawa dia mungkin memerlukan bantuan sebenar disebabkan oleh kecacatan fizikal.
Walaupun cubaan oleh pegawai penguatkuasaan untuk berkomunikasi dengan lelaki itu dan memahami tujuan di sebalik memintanya, dia tetap tidak responsif. Diperhatikan bahawa dia kelihatan pekak dan bisu, menambah kepada anggapan tentang kerentanannya.
A recent operation conducted by the Social Welfare Department to tackle begging activities in the Sri Jaya night market, Maran, Pahang, led to the exposure of a man who had been sustaining himself through begging but owned a sports utility vehicle (SUV).
According to NST, during the operation, officials from the agency observed a local man clad in a robe and wearing a taqiyah, traversing the night market and soliciting donations from passersby. His appearance, coupled with his small hands, initially led officials to believe he might be in need of genuine assistance due to a physical disability.
Despite attempts by enforcement officers to communicate with the man and ascertain the purpose behind his begging, he remained unresponsive. It was noted that he seemed to be deaf and mute, adding to the assumption of his vulnerability.
Upon closer inspection, officials discovered a substantial amount of banknotes in his possession, suspected to be the proceeds of donations received from sympathetic individuals. Despite persistent requests for identification, the man remained silent.
