Govt has no intention to sell equity in Proton

KUALA LUMPUR (March 29, 2010):

THE government has no intention to sell its equity in Proton to any foreign companies because it does not want a possibility for the local company to be controlled by a foreigner, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Chor Chee Heung

However, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said, discussions have always been held between the government, through Khazanah Nasional, and foreign companies.

"The discussions were on joint-ventures like in contract assembly or to come out with technical products which can be installed in Proton cars or to upgrade Proton cars or their parts so that they could achieve a higher standard," he said when replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Ismail Kasim (BN-Arau).

"Among the companies that we have talked to were Volkswagen, Renault, and Mitsubishi. Another benefit from the discussions is, at the same time, we could expand our market overseas."

Ismail said the government does not need to support Proton financially as it should be able to stand on its own.

"At the preliminary stage, we could understand that the government needed to ensure a smooth financial management, continue monitoring or to have government-to-government arrangements," he said.

"But we don’t see any value-added initiatives in Proton. Just compare it to Perodua ... a big adifference."

He said it could be a burden on the part of the government in developing the automotive industry.

Earlier, replying to the original question from Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak), Chor said strategic partnerships with foreign companies would enable Proton to become more competitive at the domestic and international levels.

"Any discussions on foreign equity participation in future must focus on a win-win situation by taking into consideration the interest of the country’s automotive eco-system and the need to retain the Proton brand name," he said.

To Azmin’s question on whether the government will continue injecting funds in Proton in the name of protectionism or nationalism although it does not contribute to the country’s income, Chor said he should look at Proton’s original objective.

"If we don’t come out with our own car under Proton, I believe many of the Malaysians today, especially those in the lower income group, would not be able to possess a car," he said.

"So, while we hope Proton would achieve higher success or make bigger profits in future, in terms of socio-economy, the company has succeeded."

By Husna Yusop and by Hemananthani Sivanandam
Source -- theSun

Collaboration

SUBANG JAYA

Proton Holdings Bhd will announce whether it will collaborate with India’s Hero Group, the world’s largest motorcycle maker by volume, in the second half of the year.

Previous reports claimed that Proton had been in talks with the Indian motorcycle manufacturer to build small passenger cars for the Indian market.

“We are in discussion (but) we have many things that we need to iron out. We will announce something in the second half of the year,” Proton group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir told reporters after the company launched its Proton Persona Elegance yesterday.

Syed Zainal said the appointment of Behara Venkata Rama Subbu of India as Proton’s new board member earlier this month was crucial and would help fast-track the company’s expansion into the market.

Proton Edar CEO Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim (left) and Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir with the Proton Persona Elegance

“He (Subbu) has experience working in India and we want to tap his knowledge. We want to go to that market as soon as we can.”

In its research note earlier this month, OSK Research said the appointment of Subbu to Proton’s board was a positive step towards the national carmaker’s plan to enter India.

“Proton has identified India as a potential key market for its overseas business turnaround due to the country’s sizeable population and low vehicle penetration, with an average of 15 vehicles per 1,000 persons.

“With roughly 75% to 80% of India’s vehicle volume comprising two wheelers, this provides an opportune moment for Proton to capture the market potential for motorcyclists upgrading to small cars, given the long delay in owning a Tata Nano due to heavy demand.”

On another note, Syed Zainal said Proton was in talks with various global original equipment manufacturers, including Volkswagen, to form strategic collaborations.

“We spoke with Volkswagen in Geneva and discussions are under way on how we can collaborate,” he said, without elaborating.

Meanwhile, Syed Zainal said Proton had yet to finalise a sales target for the year. The company sold 148,031 units in 2009. “We are finalising the number but we can assure you it will be much better than what we previously did. Since 2006, our domestic volume has increased.”

Separately, Syed Zainal said Proton was targeting to sell 4,000 units of Persona Elegance a month.

He said Persona, the second best-selling model after Proton Saga, had maintained an average monthly sales of 3,600 units.

Syed Zainal added that since its launch in August 2007, 102,914 units of Persona had been registered, with another 6,898 bookings recorded as at February this year.

The 1.6-litre Persona Elegance is available in Base, Medium and High Line variants.The Base Line manual is priced on-the-road from RM46,499, the Medium Line (manual) from RM52,999, and the High Line (automatic transmission only) at RM59,499.

source: The Star Online

Proton Sees Sales Boost For Persona

SHAH ALAM, March 18 (Bernama) -- Proton Holdings Bhd expects the launch of the Persona Elegance to boost the sales of the Persona series to 4,000 units per month.

Its managing director, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, said the Persona, the second best selling model after the Saga, had maintained a monthly sales average of 3,600 units.

He said since its launch in August 2007, a total of 102,914 units of the Persona had already been registered with another 6,898 bookings as at February this year.

"The Persona also boasts of a 35 per cent share of the local market for cars in the same class.

"We have done some changes to the car like introducing a number of subtle refinements, enhancements and upgrades," he told reporters after the launch of the Persona Elegance here Thursday.

Syed Zainal Abidin said the features included re-designed headlights and light-emitting diode combi lights, a more pronounced front grille fascia, new upholstery, meter combi fascia, door mirrors with built-in turn indicators, twin front airbags and fullbody-kit for the medium and high line variants.

He said the model would be available in base, medium and high line variants.

"The base line variant with manual transmission is priced at RM46,499 on-the-road (OTR), the medium line (manual) starts at RM52,999 OTR while high line is priced at RM59,499 OTR," he said.

Syed Zainal Abidin said the car would come in five colours -- bronze garnet, chiffon green, genetic silver and tranquility black.

The briliant red will be exclusive to the high line variant, he said.

He said the car would come with a two-year or 50,000 km manufacturer's warranty, plus a three-year or 125,000km extended warranty programme.

source: BERNAMA

PERSONA abroad

News of Proton Persona in Australia

A Fresh New Face And Improved Quality For Proton In Australia.

Proton Cars has launched an all-new Persona onto the Australian market with fresh styling, improved build quality and better performance. The new Persona shares only its name with the previous Proton Persona model, a car that was sold in Australia between 1995 and 2005. The new model however is based on the Proton designed and developed GEN.2 platform and uses an improved version of Proton's own Campro 1.6 liter twin cam engine.

The new Persona will come to market with a recommended retail price of $16,990 plus on roads for the five speed manual and $18,990 for the four speed automatic. It will be available in one fully equipped trim level, underlining the car's tremendous value. Gallery: 2008 Proton Persona An expansive standard equipment list includes ABS antilock brakes with EBD, driver and front passenger SRS airbags, climate control air conditioning, power windows, remote keyless entry and boot release, electric remote control mirrors, electronic reversing sensors, AM/FM/MP3/CD audio system and alloy wheels.

The interior is a refinement of the current GEN.2 design with its sporty Lotus inspired instrument binnacle and air conditioning controls while incorporating a new black and grey dash trim, an integrated glove box, new door mounted power window and remote mirror controls as well as improved seats and a redesigned center console.

The Persona has been a runaway success in its native Malaysia, where it has helped return Proton to profit and boosted market share for the company. The Malaysian domestic sales success has come on the back of dramatic improvements in build quality, driveability and interior design.

According to Proton Cars Australia managing director, John Startari, the new Persona delivers on the basics offering buyers a better overall package while maintaining Proton's reputation for excellent fuel economy, high equipment levels and value for money. "The first thing Persona drivers will notice is the integrity and quality improvements as well as the lift in performance thanks to better engine management programming," said John Startari.

"Add these improvements to the already pleasing styling and the remarkable ride and handling package engineered by Lotus and the Persona is clearly the most complete and pleasing car the company has produced so far," he added.

While Persona shares its DNA and many styling cues with its sibling the GEN.2, Proton stylists have refined the design delivering a refined, simple but elegant sedan which projects its own individuality.

"Persona certainly answers the potential the Proton marque has been promising since starting its own design and development program almost a decade ago," said John Startari.
Style, safety, spaciousness, practicality, quality, comfort and performance are the seven key areas that guided Proton designers in formulating a package to meet the requirements and expectations of a wide spectrum of buyers.

Persona is strategically positioned as an entry-level four-door sedan, designed and priced for universal appeal to the first time car buyer, replacement car buyer, or families purchasing a second car.

"The new Persona is the manifestation of the new attitude, new processes and the new approach embraced by the company and its personnel," Startari added.

Persona produces maximum power of 82kW at 6000rpm and 148Nm of torque at 4000rpm, however more importantly it delivers fuel economy of just 4.5ltr/100km on the highway cycle for the manual transmission car, the equivalent of 62 miles per gallon in the old money.
Safety has been a high priority for Proton designers both in active and passive terms with a number of refinements to make the car more user friendly.

Active safety is projected via improved steering and handling capabilities, making the new Persona more responsive, predictable and stable, allowing more precision to the driver.
The engineering of the Persona was undertaken in tandem with subsidiary Lotus, a move that maximised the car's safety through a more secure cabin and better structural rigidity.
Persona boasts a spacious 430-litre boot compartment with 60/40 split fold rear seats meaning plenty of luggage space.