THE PROTON SAGA chedet.co.cc October 30, 2009 By Dr. Mahathir Mohamad 1. Proton is gradually returning to profitability. I notice that the new Proton Saga is often seen on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. I know that a new car would not be noticed on the road until a certain volume of sales is achieved. 2. Other Proton models are also more frequently seen - a sign of good sales. Before this the new cars most often seen were from the Perodua stables. 3. Since Proton acquired a new chairman in the person of Datuk Nadzmi Salleh, I find it easier to perform the work of Proton adviser. The Prime Minister has also indicated that Proton affairs should be referred to me. Accordingly I have been busy on a plan to resuscitate the company. I have been talking to potential technology partners for Proton. 4. Lately I had been disturbed by media reports that Proton is to be sold to certain parties. This talk has agitated the staff of Proton. They know of cases where after a new investor took over a company, senior staff had been laid off. Their worry over this matter affects their performance. This is bad at a time when they are trying to contribute to Proton's recovery. 5. I have told the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer that Proton is not for sale, but I think I should assure the senior staff and the workers that there is no plan to sell Proton in the foreseeable future. The need is to restructure the company and reach agreement with the potential partner, After that work has to be done to ensure Proton fully recovers. 6. I agree with the headline in a certain tabloid for everyone to leave Proton alone. If Proton staff is assured of this I feel sure we would be able to put Proton firmly on its feet. 216 Comments By ahussein on November 18, 2009 9:33 AM Good day Tun, I used to drive Proton Satria GTi and we have club called Satria GTi Club Malaysia which was branded as No. 1 motoring club in Malaysia by TV3. I was the President of the Club and now just being the Adviser. Just to share that this lovely model from Proton was awesome, as with this car all of us has travelled all the way to Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand and also all the states in Malaysia. We do also have our own track day at Sepang International Circuit and other activities that involves pushing our car to the limit. The beauty is that we do use this car as our daily car to drive to work and not just a weekend car. All in this car from Proton was indeed a very reliable car. Being said all this, of course no doubts that Proton need to improved in many areas especially on parts, the wear and tear. Even involves many small parts of the car, the wear and tear rates is very high which end up me as a user changing it more often. Of course wear and tear depends on how you used the car, but of course all cars are meant to be driven and maximising it rather just keeping it at home garage. This doesn’t happen so much with other models. Of course every car has their lifespan of wear and tear but Proton should try to reduce the rate and upgrade the quality of the parts. The numbers of parts change often automatically increased the cost of servicing. Don’t want to compare with other models so much here, but my experienced that I don’t required to change parts so often even mileage clocking at 100k (Japanese model) I have no other complaints on Proton especially Satria Gti but hoping that one day Proton will be coming out with a replacement model for this lovely car which of course with better specs and engine capacity. Of course this Satria Gti car is a very niche market and only those love driving sports car will go for it. But if Proton plan to resuscitate and compete globally than they should look at it rather than just coming out with 4 door family car only forever. My two cents. Best regards. By ahussein on November 18, 2009 9:33 AM Good day Tun, I used to drive Proton Satria GTi and we have club called Satria GTi Club Malaysia which was branded as No. 1 motoring club in Malaysia by TV3. I was the President of the Club and now just being the Adviser. Just to share that this lovely model from Proton was awesome, as with this car all of us has travelled all the way to Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand and also all the states in Malaysia. We do also have our own track day at Sepang International Circuit and other activities that involves pushing our car to the limit. The beauty is that we do use this car as our daily car to drive to work and not just a weekend car. All in this car from Proton was indeed a very reliable car. Being said all this, of course no doubts that Proton need to improved in many areas especially on parts, the wear and tear. Even involves many small parts of the car, the wear and tear rates is very high which end up me as a user changing it more often. Of course wear and tear depends on how you used the car, but of course all cars are meant to be driven and maximising it rather just keeping it at home garage. This doesn’t happen so much with other models. Of course every car has their lifespan of wear and tear but Proton should try to reduce the rate and upgrade the quality of the parts. The numbers of By Danyaen on November 17, 2009 11:30 AM Greetings again Tun, this will be my last post on this subject lest it becomes rant and rave. I was there when you drove over Penang Bridge. That was a happy moment for me as I am a Penangite. You know what everyone in my local coffeeshop was saying? "Mahathir driving proton man...aiseh...the PM drive proton...not mercedes la...proton..he driving himself la...gaya man". That was the atmosphere in our school. The PM himself driving a proton. Now that's pride. It is plain to see everyone here (except those who just make snide and angry comments)want to see Proton succeed. But for that, I'm sure you already know what needs to be done. Not the whip, we need the AXE. I believe in Proton. I don't believe in the people running Proton. It's not the car but the imbeciles who have driven the company to the ground. Mass profit over quality. What's so hard about making a sensibly good car after 25 years? China has already copied a rocket and gone to space. And for much less money than the americans did. Have our engineers been sleeping all this while? Sdr kamal ahmad has brought up some very clear facts about the proton cars. 1. Why are we still getting underpowered cars? That is stupidity. The weight of the car alone is bad enough, but an entire family? 2. For all the big talk on safety, why aren't ALL our cars fitted with airbags? Why should our national car charge us a premium for safety? 3. I agree with him that the tiptronic is way overdue. This will help us all with fuel economy and also keep the price of the car down by making smaller engines more powerful. 4. Proton is NOT VALUE FOR MONEY. When will we have a quality proton car? A car we can buy and REALLY be proud of. Instead of having to make complaints about here in your blogspace. I just hope that you will do something about this as this affects every single Malaysian. I am but a normal citizen trying to make my way in the world. My main concern is that I live my life with my family and my friends without too much hardship in a peaceful country (cheesy as that may sound). I thank you for making this blog so that the common people may address their problems to you. If I have been rude or presumptuos in any manner do forgive me. By godm on November 16, 2009 10:43 PM dear tun, as a malaysian i m soo proud that malaysia has its own line of cars that they produced... however there are things that i have to disagree with proton: 1. i do not know why until now we are unable to build our own car fully as in completely our own idea 2. i have no idea why there are still so many problems with the car as the problems above, i'm still am sad that proton is stil using ideas and design from other manufacturer and that i think that proton should really come out with their own design and all from grounds up to show the real malaysia power... then we can silence the critics and also be truly proud of proton besides that, being a proud owner of 2 proton wira, i always have problems with my car where is does not have enough energy or something always goes wrong... i just hope the proton would reali test their car properly and push it to the limit to ensure that the quality is improved..