GEMPAR : Foto sebenar Proton Perdana 2016 bocor!

Negative Image Hurting Proton Sales.

Proton needs to shed its ‘cheap’ image
Carmaker admits negative perception hampering sales
By M. Jegathesan

Malaysia’s national carmaker Proton is blaming a flood of low-cost foreign imports for cutting its market share, but critics say the real problems are its “cheap” image and poor track record.

Proton’s arch defender Mahathir Mohamad, the former premier who launched the ambitious national car scheme in the 1980s, said last week unfairly priced foreign imports were making it hard for Proton to compete, and called for more restrictions.

In happier times, Proton used to sell six out of every 10 new cars in Malaysia, but growing foreign competition has seen its share of the market fall to 44 percent in 2004 from 48 percent in 2003, and the outlook is poor.

Toyotas, Nissans and Kias already crowd the nation’s roads, and many more will come as the high excise taxes and import duties which have protected Proton are stripped away under a regional trade pact that comes into full force in 2008.

Industry analysts and car owners say Proton needs to address its perennial bugbears – poor assembly and after-sales care, and high maintenance costs – to achieve its goals of boosting both domestic sales and exports.

Far from being proud of owning the national car, many Proton drivers say they only opted for one because they could not afford an import, and after unhappy experiences, they plan to switch to a foreign model when they can.

Proton’s 1.6 litre Waja sedan is considered among the best of the nine-model range, but businessman Y.S. Chong told AFP that while his Waja “so far is okay” he would not buy another national car if he could help it.

“The Waja is attractive but spare parts are expensive and after-sale service is poor,” he said as he left a service center where he witnessed customers arguing with workers over shoddy service. “If I have the money, my next car will be a Honda.”

….

jangan tak percaya, ni berita 2005 atau 11 tahun yang lampau. Tahun ni, proton masih mendendangkan cerita yang sama. 10 tahun akan datang, harap2 dah tiada berita macam ni.