SOME of Proton Holdings Bhd's five "Pahlawan" concept and customised cars shown to the public recently may turn into production models that could hit the market next year.
Proton group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said two concept cars shown at the recent Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS 2010) will likely head for the national carmaker's production lines.
The Pahlawan series boasts of three concept cars - Tuah, Lekir and Lekiu - and another two based on existing production models namely Kasturi (essentially facelifted Saga) and Jebat (Inspira).
Syed Zainal did not identify the models that may be bound for production but it is no secret that Proton is planning to replace its Persona model with the new Tuah concept.
The Tuah concept, or codenamed Espire, is built on P321A platform and is in the same class as the Corolla Altis and Honda Civic.
Another concept car that will likely join the Proton model portfolio is the Lekiu crossover concept.
Also known under its codename Xactive, the mini SUV (sports utility vehicle) concept is said to be bound for Proton's Chinese partner Youngman.
The SUV, using similar platform as that of Proton Exora multi- purpose vehicle, could be manufactured at Youngman's plant in China and subsequently be shipped back to Proton under a local production programme.
Syed Zainal spoke to reporters after launching the Saga facelift, or Saga FL in Shah Alam yesterday.
Proton is targeting to sell 6,500 units of the enhanced Saga.
Since its launch in January 2008, the Saga has risen to become the country's second top selling model with a monthly average sale of 6,200 units, he added. As of October, Proton had sold some 204,150 Sagas.
The Saga facelift comes in two variants, namely the 1.3 Standard and the 1.3 Executive. Both are available in manual and automatic transmissions.
Saturday 11 June 2011
PROTON INSPIRA LAUNCHED - FACTS AND FIGURES
Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton) was again yesterday launched their latest model. Model called Proton Inspira is a collaboration between Proton and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), which, according to Proton, Inspira arises not only from the copy to change the logo or brand name alone, or more accurately the 'rebadging', but it is a collaboration OEM between the two car makers.
According to Proton, 40 percent of the Inspira is the result of Proton's own development, and they are now actively carrying out research and development to make 60 percent of the Inspira is a touch of Proton. In a statement before the Proton also said that this is the first phase, while the second phase of the model will follow a year from now, the development will be using more components from local vendors.
Proton Inspira has created its own success for Proton as early reservations to the model increased more than jangkaun since pre-launch on October 14 last year. Seeing the warm welcome given by the buyer, Proton does not exclude the possibility that the model will be exported, so they are currently looking into a preliminary agreement with Mitsubishi and is expected to be finalized in the near future.
During the launch, the Proton car prices Inspira reduced to RM2, 000.00 per unit for the new model makes it more competitive, as well as affordable to a broad range of people. Proton Inspira 1.8 liter manual is priced at RM78, 999.00, compared to the previous price of RM79, 888.00 which was announced during pre-launch on the 10th. Last October. Inspira 1.8 liter with the CVT transmission is priced at RM84, 999.00, compared to the original price of RM87, 000.00. Inspira Model 2.0 liter CVT is priced at RM91, 999.00 from the price of RM94, 000.00 per unit earlier.
A brief history of Proton Inspira
Proton Inspira originally developed the model Mitsubishi Lancer for sale in this country. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) to sell two variants of the model of the Lancer and Lancer EX GT. Over the past two years have heard rumors that Proton is developing a new model sedan in the C segment to replace the Proton Waja, but everything else to the puzzle when the Proton does not provide confirmation that the model is correct. Some say that Proton would be developing its own model starts from the 'Research & Development' (R & D), there is the notion that Proton will do the 'rebadging' only, which took models from other companies and then offer it again with some changes small in the external and internal.
But rumors of the earliest and more trusted blowing mention that it's true situation of the Proton will repeat again that the first production car Saga, Waja replacement model is the model of other companies that will be re-issued by Proton, the practice is to place the vehicle from the brand others by changing lencananya to Proton. Rumors spread when it is said that meant the car model is Mitsubishi Lancer, which was then just entering the Malaysian market. But the news is still "lukewarm" because then there is no exact confirmation or any photo captured spyshot successful.
But then rumors began to become warm to the 'spyshot' first model was at the airport began to be exposed in the local motoring blog site, Funtasticko Design 28. July this year. Proton fans, including critics who often follow closely the development of Proton's latest model, got the biggest surprise when the rumor winds or 'rumors' on Proton back to 'rebadge' Mitsubishi models actually become a reality. Spyshot photos Waja replacement model at the airport is clearly indicated that it is a model Mitsubishi Lancer, but with some changes in the external and internal, are still wrapped in black ribbon stickers on some of the front and rear bumpers.
Consistent with the disclosure that spyshot, comments and scathing criticism of the Proton first expressed in the blog, website and forum. Proton is said to have returned to a step backwards, as do the 'rebadge' for their new vehicle, although at that Proton has been able to build their own cars like Waja, Gen2, Savvy, Persona, Satria Neo and Exora. Criticism came from critics of the current string, with most of the criticism is hard to say Proton is no longer relevant in the current global automotive.
But the biggest surprise yet to come, until the famous local motoring blog, featuring photos spyshot Paultan.org Waja replacement model in Penang. This time the audience and the local motoring enthusiasts the world received a shock really like the tsunami as the photos clearly show spyshot the Waja replacement model is the model Mitsubishi Lancer, which means that blew the rumor about two years would prove true. Consequently, comments and criticisms received through the post spyshot increased dramatically, and the issue of Proton Waja Lancer again quickly heats in various blogs, websites and forums for local motorsport. Bulletin Utama on TV3 news that night to make the increasingly warm to publish news about Waja replacement model that is founded from the Lancer model.
As usual, there are those who support, some opponents. It can be seen on most of the comments and opinions written on the blog, website and forum have been very warm when both sides refused to budge. The support is the adoption of strategies to fill the niche for the Proton niche they are small. According to Proton, it is impossible for them to generate profits when developing new models in the segment C at a cost of $ 1 billion, while market demand is small. The best example is the development of the Proton Waja which failed to return the capital even reach $ 1 billion development cost. So the strategy of producing models of other companies could help to save costs, other gains and capital development for Proton to continue R & D of other recent models.
Issues raised by the opposing party and criticized the Proton is Proton is the inability to develop its own vehicle starting from a sketch, and R & D. For Proton has failed when they turned toward the back, while they hope Proton will produce a car model itself after more than 25 years of Proton was set up by the government. Another issue often raised is the quality of Proton cars themselves. Many are worried if the Waja replacement model is a reduced quality model (quality downgrade) from the original model of the Lancer, which means that the quality problems that haunt the Proton vehicles range in the past may recur. Basically because there are concerns that Proton would have its best efforts to save costs in order to sell the car at the lowest price.
Later on the 3rd. September 2010, Bulletin Utama TV3 has been broadcasting news of the Waja replacement model, which indicated a Waja replacement model is covered with fabric, including some visuals in the Proton plant in Shah Alam is currently installing the vehicle. There are some indications given that the model was developed based on model Mitsubishi Lancer Fortis. With news from TV3, the local motoring world and fans, including critics of Proton getting excited waiting for the launch of 'Waja Replacement Model' which is no longer a secret, in the capacity of the Proton model Mitsubishi Lancer.
After that some pieces of the picture spyshot Proton Waja Proton Waja replacement or Lancer was exposed on the Internet, waiting to see the model makes it launched increasingly warm. Among the photos spyshot the main reference in the mid and late September 2010 and is featuring a front page spyshot Waja Lancer white and silver. Spyshot then the model in Genting Highland increasingly give the actual design model.
Finally, in early October 2010, Proton has issued a statement that the Waja replacement model will be officially launched (pre-launch) on 14. October, and a number of official photographs of the Proton model made public. Although the photos are not displaying in full Waja model Lancer that was enough to make fans Proton excitement is growing. But before the shock took place when a piece of 'fliers' exposure on the Internet, which displays the actual name of the new model Waja replacement is 'Inspira'. Many are surprised that there is no name 'Waja', instead replaced by the name of Inspira.
On the day of the pre-launch it, everything is answered when the Waja replacement model is now called 'Proton Inspira', and that the Proton Waja model Inspira is not a substitute for, but it is present in the mid-sedan segment, the segment between C and D. However, the Proton Waja said production will be stopped with the introduction of Inspira. With the tagline "Smart Guys Get It ', the local motoring world and the online world once again noisy with Proton's latest model, known as Proton Inspira. Puzzle over the years has been answered, and the book is published model was created during the 'soft launch' it.
What is most interesting note is that the price offered, starting from and not more than RM95k RM79k. Many are saying the price offered little expensive, but still worth it to have. Proton Inspira comes in three different variants of manual 1.8 liter, 1.8 liter automatic CVT, and the highest model 2.0 liter automatic CVT. The engine used is still the engine of the Lancer family 4B10 to 1.8 liter variants, while the variant 2.0-coded 4B11 engine. Many will heave a sigh of relief when the Proton is not me'downgrade'kan engine model to the Campro engine. Proton also announced the launch of the full model was set at 10. November 2010.
After a long wait, which was initially Proton Inspira-highlight the inclusiveness in driving the Waja replacement model eventually found the people of Malaysia. There are several issues that arose after that, such is the disappointment of Lancer owners who bought the car at a price of more than RM120k, while the same model wearing the badge of Proton sold under RM95k. Even lawmakers who have criticized the proposed Proton and Proton closed for failing to develop its own car, the Proton is no longer relevant reasons to compete in the global automotive arena.
To answer the accusations and criticisms that did not stop, the Proton through its Group Managing Director, issued a statement that Proton Inspira not merely rebadge the project, but it is the model developed in collaboration with the OEM automotive manufacturer Mitsubishi. Proton also said the strategy of the automotive world when it is different when a number of automotive companies sharing the same platform and motor to reduce costs. Proton gave examples of some of the automotive giants from Japan and Europe and the United States that practice is practice, so Proton does not make mistakes when doing the same thing. The case is agreed by many automotive writers in the blog and the local motoring magazine.
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