Proton confident of strong GEN-2 sales

BY DANNY YAP

NATIONAL carmaker Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) is confident of selling 50,000 to 80,000 units of its newly launched 1.6-litre Proton GEN-2 passenger car over the next 12 months. 

Chief executive officer Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff said the new model, powered by the Campro engine, would help boost the company's market share, which had been sliding in recent months due to stiff competition. 

“We hope to capture at least a 50% share of the 1.6-litre passenger car market in the country within a respectable time,” he told reporters after the launch of the new model in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. 

GEN-2 launched

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were present at the launch. 

The manual transmission version of the GEN-2 retails for RM52,888 on-the-road and is now open for booking at all Proton showrooms and outlets. The auto transmission version, priced at RM55,888, will be available in a month's time. 

Mahaleel said the GEN-2 was the first of a new generation of Proton cars to roll out of the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Tanjung Malim, Perak, which had the capacity to produce 150,000 units in its first year of operations. 

“We believe the car will be a hit in the market, as it is competitively priced and unique looking,” he said, adding that it would appeal to people who liked a sleek and sporty car. 

“So far, feedback from most dealers has been positive,” he added. 

Proton had also received enquiries from interested parties overseas for its new models, but under their own brand, Mahaleel said. “This is really exciting and shows that our creativity and technical expertise in manufacturing cars are appreciated abroad,” he said. 

Proton cars are sold in 15 countries and the company plans to export the GEN-2 to its traditional as well as new markets.  

“We are looking to export to China, the Middle East and other Asean countries,” Mahaleel said, adding that Proton hoped to derive 20% of its revenue in the next financial year ending April 30, 2005, from GEN-2 exports. 

The company also expected to roll out new derivatives of the GEN-2 within a year, he said. “We plan to roll out two more new models in the next 12 months, depending on demand,” he said. 

A local car dealer said Proton's GEN-2 was impressive and had a prestigious look, yet remaining affordable. 

“It's definitely a huge change in image compared with the previous Proton models,” he said, adding that the company had a good chance of increasing its market share with the GEN-2. 

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