Proton is expecting an 8% sales increase to 2,500 units from 2,300 units per month of the Proton Exora in view of the launch of the improved model yesterday.
“With the introduction of the new Exora, we are confident of increasing the existing sales volume to 2,500 units per month,” said Proton Holdings Bhd group managing director Datuk Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir at the launch here.
Since its launch in April 2009 up till the end of June this year, 32,540 units have been registered on the road with an average of 2,300 units sold per month.
Proton’s targeted growth in sales would see the group surpassing its target to sell some 28,690 units of the Exora model in the current 2010/2011 financial year.
The refurbished multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) introduces a number of refinements to the existing base, medium and high-line variants in terms of interior design scheme and is powered by the 1.6 litre Campro CPS engine.
The on-the-road prices of the new Exora in metallic base is RM58,998 (B-Line MT), RM65,998 (M-Line MT), RM70,998 (M-Line AT) and RM76,998 (H-Line AT) across peninsular Malaysia. With 1,000 units on the ground and ready for delivery, the car is on sale and available for booking effective yesterday.
Proton yesterday also launched the Drive for Celebration campaign as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. The campaign runs from July 15 to Sept 30 and features an online contest where contestants stand a chance of winning a grand prize of the exclusive anniversary edition Proton Persona.
When asked about his views on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s proposal for a consolidation in the local automotive industry last Friday, Syed Zainal credited the government for the idea as long as it did not benefit individual companies.
He said it was necessary to “have faith in the government” and to take stock of the prime minister’s suggestion. He also added that Proton would be working closely with industry players and financial institutions in revising the interest rate for national car loans, which he estimated would range between 3.85% and 4.1%.
“We do not want to burden the consumer. We are in discussion with the banks and Perodua to decide the best rate,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a report, Bernama quoted Syed Zainal as saying that Proton expected to launch a new sedan model by year-end to replace the Waja, and production of the new model would be undertaken at its plant in Shah Alam.
“All the preparations have been done. We hope to launch it in the last quarter of this year,” he said, adding that Proton was working with other original equipment manufacturers.
According to the news agency, citing market talk, the new model will display a copy of the Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT version with a slightly smaller engine capacity of 1.8-litre.
According to the report, it is believed that the Mitsubishi feature in Proton is the result of development engineering cooperation between Proton and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, which is also a shareholder.
This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, July 15, 2010.
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