PROTON EXORA: the look we have not seen

Here is the latest Proton Exora teaser ad insertion scanned from today’s The Star. There are loads of more details about the MPV, so let me just list them here for those who are kinda lazy to load the full-resolution version of the photo to read the details.

• Campro CPS Engine - Proton claims enough power to transport 7 adults with a full load of luggage while maintaining fuel efficiency. The first part of believable but I’m doubtful about the second part, you can’t have the best of both worlds, not with a regular twincam normally aspirated engine like the Campro CPS. Power output is quoted at 125hp and 150Nm of torque which is equivalent to the output in the Waja CPS, GEN2 CPS and Satria Neo CPS, but some parameters such as CPS and VIM activation points may have been changed, we’ll only find out at the launch.
• Quiet Cabin - Proton claims a quiet cabin because of sound absorption material (they use the word technology).
• Ride & Handling - As usual, the Lotus brand name and their involvement in tuning the suspension settings for Proton cars are being pushed as a selling point for the Exora MPV.
• Small Turning Radius - Proton says the Exora has a turning radius of 5.3 meters. A turning radius is essentially the radius of a small circular turn, or a U-turn that the vehicle is capable of making. The smaller the number, the less space required by a vehicle to U-turn. Note that there are two types of turning radius that can be specified - curb-to-curb or wall-to-wall which is measured either by the distance travelled by the wheels
  
  or including the whole car including body overhangs and etc, with the latter being more accurate of course. Let’s compare to some other MPVs - 5.2 meters for the Toyota Passo Sette (this could be the upcoming Perodua MPV), Toyota Wish - 5.3 meters, Nissan Grand Livina - 5.2 meters, Honda Stream - 5.4 meters, Mazda 5 - 5.3 meters, Toyota Alphard - 5.7 to 5.9 meters, Toyota Rush - 5.2 meters.
• Intelligent Electronic Body Control Programme - I’m not sure what this is. Proton calls this an integrated module which allows you to recalibrate electronic components to suit your driving needs such as wipers and signal lights. I am told that this is a central control module which communicates with various components of the car including the examples given. My source tells me this is more of something that works behind the scenes at the moment and there is not much of a user interface to control but I suspect this will allow some form of user controllability in the future such as programmable follow-me home lights and etc just by adding a user interface to it.
• LED tail lamps and brake lights - We already know this from the spyshots.

Read our past coverage of the Proton Exora while we patiently count down to its launch, expected to be in April 2009. [Refer: At Paul Tan’s Automotive News]

News bit on Proton

1 McCann Runs Pre Launch Campaign For Proton’s First MPV

TAXI Design Network

2 Proton holds pre-launch campaign for first MPV

Media

3 Malaysia: Proton welcomes proposed scrappage scheme

Automotive World

4 Warm response to Exora

AsiaOne

5 Exora frame finds fame in UTM

Malaysia Star

PROTON WITH MALAYSIAKINI: choice of proton exora name.

Proton has issued a response to the public outcry of alleged unfairness in the results of the Proton MPV naming competition. The dissatisfaction is mostly related to the chosen name “Proton Exora”, which its MD Datuk Syed Zainal said was based on the Ixora flower name at the launch event. According to Syed Zainal, “Exora is a flower that blooms in a bunch, so that evokes the spirit of the MPV, which is togetherness. It demonstrates the MPV as a family vehicle and that is why we decided to pick the name.”

In Proton’s statement, it thanked members of the public for highlighting the issues and concerns related to the choice of name and understands the points being made. It clarified that the name “Proton Exora” was picked through a vigorous selection process and was chosen because it was not a name for any animal and vegetation although it had similar pronunciation as the flower, Ixora. In fact, there were 139 contest entries submitting the name Proton Ixora, and 39 entries for Proton Exora. The Ixora name was eliminated from the final selection because it was the direct spelling of the name of a flower.

The 39 people who had submitted the winning name had also chosen the name for various other reasons. The winning entry by Miss Norsholihan Bt Abdul Eanich was chosen because of the tagline “Keriangan Keluarga” or family joy. Proton felt the name and tagline represented the company’s effort to offer a vehicle which could offer family togetherness.

The controversial rule in the naming competition stated that an entry “tidak diambil daripada” the name of flora or fauna, but it appears that Proton and contestants had different interpretations of this rule. A lot of contestants who are dissatisfied right now assumed it meant any name related to flora and fauna were disallowed, however Proton’s interpretation was only a direct name of a flora or fauna is disallowed.

What’s done is done and nothing can be changed, but reflecting on the situation, what Proton should have done at the very beginning is clarify what exactly “tidak diambil daripada” meant by giving examples, because in my honest opinion it is obvious to me that Exora is “taken from/diambil daripada” the word Ixora and contestants have every right to be dissatisfied because perhaps if they had known variations or puns on flora/fauna are allowed, they could have let their creativity loose even more and may have come up with an even better name and tagline than Proton Exora.

Proton clarifies choice of Proton Exora name ASEAN Automotive News

Malaysian carmaker Proton 'may sell controlling stake'

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysia's national carmaker Proton may sell a controlling stake in the troubled business to a foreign manufacturer, a report said Monday.

Proton chairman Nadzmi Mohd Salleh told the New Straits Times that it had been approached by US and Japanese carmakers looking to expand overseas as their domestic markets shrink.

The firm may sign collaborative agreements, or ask them to buy a controlling stake, he said.

"If they buy a stake in Proton, they can get the 29 percent (shareholding) that Proton has. They know what they want. It is up to shareholders to decide if they want to sell Proton," Nadzmi reportedly said.

"If Proton is a problem child, we have to let it go. But if you want to enhance Proton's capability and also the viability over a period of difficult times, then the collaboration with the foreign carmakers has to take a different form."

Nadzmi said Proton may also strike a partnership with an Indian car company.

"Proton is looking at something now (in India). We have to look at the bigger markets. If you look at India and China, you will never go wrong."

Proton was formed 25 years ago as part of an ambitious national industrialisation plan, but its market share has slumped in recent years as it flailed in a newly deregulated market.

It has suffered from a reputation for unimaginative models and poor quality that has left it struggling to compete against Japanese and European carmakers.

The government has urged it to forge a partnership with a foreign automaker to give it the expertise and economies of scale that it needs to survive.

However, talks with Volkswagen and General Motors have collapsed, with the stumbling block reputed to be demands for a stake in Proton.

Malaysian carmaker Proton 'may sell controlling stake'
AFP

PROTON WITH MALAYSIAKINI: a general view of being loyal

We make endless decisions as ordinary person; as wives, as husbands, as mums, as dads, as citizens. When leaders make decision within the peripheral of loyalty, they deserve to be scrutinized as to their worth and line of thinking. Lets share with Malaysiakini what loonghui 831 has to say as posted in the star online.


Saddened
by
Malaysians' attitude
by loonghui 831

After posting a blog entry on how I disagree with the move of state governments to change their official cars from Proton ones to foreign brands as this shows just how much Malaysians are not fond of their own country’s products, I was utterly disgusted.

The many comments made were of approval of this shame Malaysian have in their own country. Many were emotional and called me naïve for believing in local manufactured cars. I’m truly saddened and disgusted. In my previous entry, I did not say Proton cars are of the best. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t give them support. Rome was not build in one day. Having a much later start and having less funds means local cars won’t be of the same quality as the foreign brands just yet. But if we keep looking down at it, not giving any kind of support, it will never stand a chance to be even near to the automobile giants in terms of popularity and quality.

This applies to the nation as well. Being a Malaysian, it is okay to give comment so as to remind the government of anything they may have overlooked. However, being ashamed of it is 2 different things. We must show our loyalty and love towards the country as we will be the only one that will ever do that and only when we are not ashamed of it we will fight for it. How would you like to run a nation of people who doesn’t believe in their own capabilities? How would you expect us to develop when none of us are proud of our country, and are ashamed of it? How many developed nations have a population that think like us? You think the Koreans and Japanese are ashamed of their own countries?

This brings me to how we have a special and talented brain. We often ignore the advantages of being a Malaysian and only see the disadvantages. Do you know Indonesians have to pay for their education while we have the government to pay for even our textbooks and exams? Do you know our road is among the best in Southeast Asia? Do you know all you have to pay is RM5 for a clinical appointment in government hospitals? How many countries do that?

Why must we be so ashamed of our country? Would you rather be born in a third world country instead? Can we finally throw away the shame that we have and be proud of our own country? A place we were born in, grow up in, and (if you don’t choose to be the second class citizen of another nation) probably die in? I would say I’m not ashamed of Malaysia but am ashamed of Malaysians.

P/s: To those who are going to leave a comment and say I’m naïve, don’t tell me being matured or realistic means not loving your country. That’s utter bull****. Is John F. Kennedy naïve then?

And to those who won’t admit they are ashamed of their country, ask yourself again and tell me if you’ve never laughed when you are commenting on our country’s public transport/politics/economy/products. If you’ve never, I deeply respect you.

[Saddened by Malaysians' attitude Malaysia Star, Malaysia ]




beritadarigunung

Nadzmi appointed Proton chairman

Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh (pic) has returned to Proton Holdings Bhd as its chairman and the appointment takes effect from Jan 1.

According to a statement from the national carmaker yesterday, he will replace outgoing chairman Datuk Mohd Azlan Hashim, 51, who has held the post since February 2005.

“He (Nadzmi) is no stranger to Proton, having served as managing director of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd from 1993 to 1996 and deputy managing director of the company from Nov 2, 1992,” Proton said.

Nadzmi had also held various senior positions in Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd, including executive director and chief executive officer.

He was appointed as director and deputy chairman of Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, a unit of Proton, with effect from Sept 22, 2005.

Currently, he is the executive chairman of Nadicorp Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Nadzmi has a bachelor of arts (economics) degree and a bachelor of science (chemistry & mathematics) degree from Ohio University. He holds a master of arts (economics & statistics) from Miami University.

Proton said in the statement that during its board meeting held earlier yesterday, Azlan had expressed that he was pleased with how the company had progressed in the last four years.

“Although there remains a lot to be done, Proton today is undoubtedly on a better foundation to move forward and compete with other automotive companies,” Azlan added.

He said this progress was made possible due to the strong support of the Government, the shareholders, the wider automotive community (including component vendors and dealers), the directors, management and the entire staff of Proton.

Nadzmi appointed Proton chairman
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

Who patronise PROTON?

There is a posting in Malaysiakini topblog section by tulang besi touching on proton. As we get deeper into this liberalisation of Malaysia towards the end of Abdullah tenure, it is worth to appreciate what is proton, and who patronise proton.

From Malaysiakini topblog
It's About Time Someone Stands Up to Proton
| Tulang Besi

2. Yesterday was a cool and wet day. I circled round flats after flats [apartments?] at the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur. I saw a lot of proton cars from old saga, iswara, wira, satria, new saga, waja ....... As we all know, proton is patronised by certain section of our community.

3. There is no question about spin-offs provided by proton years ago.. about local boys and girls getting jobs, about local vendors, about hundreds of local part vendors etc.etc. .. but we all know who patronise proton and who dont. In that light, we should not question Perak and selangor if they go ahead with Camry or any other car that has no linkage with Malaysia. They care about Malaysia? Not in the way I and you been taught ...... l o y a l t y.

beritadarigunung

PROTON: Harta Pusaka.

1. I must admit I have only a minute knowledge of company accounting. But I do know that creative accounting can make losses appear in the books as profit.

2. Whether the cost is sunk or not it still involves a cost in terms of real money (not figures in accounting books).

3. When the previous management of Proton bought 57 per cent of M.V.Agusta, they were fully aware of the financial problems of the company. Who would sell a company making tons of profit? If they would, the price would be beyond our reach.

by Tun Dr Mahathir,

continue here and read this too PROTON AND THE SALE OF M.V. AGUSTA and this Snippets - Birthday, Road Transport, Blocks & M.V. Agusta