I'm a first-timer. The whole reason why I bother giving a comment is because I am quite annoyed with what Bob said about Proton.

I am a proud owner and this is despite my new car giving me some minor problems. Proton is perhaps flawed in many ways but let's face it, it is heading the right direction. With Neo being introduced, I think that car is rather a bargain for the price it offers.

Why we call people bashers? Well, I've been to many websites and I personally see ppl complaining about Proton that is absolutely ridiculous. For example, why the car is designed as such to have exhaust in the middle or there are squeaky noises in the interior. While the former comment is rather pure dumb, the latter IS bad but come on, at the end of the day, these cars are MASS PRODUCED, not specialised.

Even cars that are 'specialised' like the Mercedes does have a lot of problems! The E-Class that we currently see on the road – has a lot of problems that baffles even their own engineers! Take Alfa Romeo, it has QC problem just like Proton today!

Perhaps 2 wrongs doesn't make a right but my point here is that when other manufacturers do it, it's OK because they're not local. When other manufacturers are radical, it's cool but when Proton does it, it's dumb!

Bob, also bear in mind that Proton is limited by the govt. policy to source from local vendors. I'm sure if they had their way, parts will be sourced from China. It's cheaper and better too. Another reason is that, when it comes to local vendors, they'll try to squeeze the juice out of companies like Proton or Petronas. Everything is charged at a premium when the quality is only half-baked. But, what can Proton do if these companies have political clout?

Another thing, I'm not saying what Bob said is all wrong but just remember that Proton's decision is governed by the govt. Perodua has most of the stakes owned by Daihatsu/Toyota. Naza, well the last time I heard, their cars have QC problems too. Plastic is tacky and feels cheap. Their operating costs should be much much much cheaper as they don't need to spend on R&D.

There are disappointments I'd like to highlight though. Perhaps Proton should spend more money in speeding up its variable valve system to production rather than on its R3 dept. or researching on hybrids with Lotus or funding that someone to race? What's the whole point of coming out with these if your engines have not the variable valve system – which is rather basic in today's fuel saving engines?

Finally, I'd like everyone to give Proton some time. It has so far moved in the right direction and we should give more credit. Things don't change in a year. You need years to overhaul a company and get it back on track. At least VW is coming in soon right? or perhaps GM? That is a smart move and I believe that it'll bring Proton back to the forefront of the country's automotive industry.

To Paul Tan: I hope this comment is accepted despite me being the first timer to post. I don't mean any personal attack on Bob but when I read his article, I'm sorry to see his point of views that are derived from naivety as I was once like that too…

Can't wait to see it comparing to the new Toyota Yaris/Vitz/Echo (smart Yaris) 3 door hatch.

but i'd agree that it's easier to buy a car nowadays, lotsa loan options… however, what about whether u could afford it or not? someone i know earning below rm2k managed to get a 9-year full loan to buy a waja…

and he's renting a room with barely enough to scrape by… and i wonder how he managed to survive here in kl… even with a part-time job, how much could he earn?

I think the two dials under meters could be for controlling the brightness of the meters but why need 2? Perhaps the other is for changing the colour of the illumination????

RT

register your design as a 'your own intellectual properties' so no body can claim that the design is HIS idea.

December 22, 2005 @ 5:17 pm

watch top gear, and you will know some western car tipu kita. what they sell is their brand name that most malaysian people dream to buy it. but the quality of the car. zero. and one more thing. see how the pengacara tu critic. pedas but positive.if you want to critic. say it but give the suggestion solution to handle the problem. remember. we are malaysian. we help each other.try to help proton. i you thing new proton model is ugly, the design new one and try la sent to them. maybe they will take you design as a new model.who’s know.you may get royalty for the design.for now just hope that the new man in proton can bring the new era of proton.

=============================================

carkey… it's not like u dono our malaysian car designers… ooopss.. "so-called "car-designers"!!! send in to them and might get royalty? the next thing u know somebody claimed it's HIS idea and wat are u gonna do about it? oh, anyway, would they even listen to u, the customers, in the first place? hmmm… tough luck!

for those who kutuk2 this proton car. i suggest don't buy la. senang cerita. buy another car. japan or western car la.

To those who bashed Dr. M for his Vision, *THINK* again.

All things are created twice! First in the mind and second, in the works.

If you didn't have the first creation, i.e. in the mind or vision or dreams, then forget about the second, i.e. the works, and the success!

Martin Luther King once said: "I have a dream".

Whatever happened to the execution is secondary!

see lots of fight here…

i'm kinda leaning towards proton is a big disappointment in some areas but not all…

after i've read articles from both sides "the bashers" vs "patriotic proton" (sorry giving you guys names) i can't stop my fingers from typing this comment…

from my point of view, everybody admits that our national car manufacturer have problems to fix – Fundamentals2 things quality bla bla.. design bla bla

next the bashers have good points pointed out about their discontented opinion and the proproton also defended well…..

so maybe most of you don't see it like i do… but what i see is you guys are geniuses!!!! you all go far strecth to win the debate!!!! some of you even i believe do studies and do some research in this…..

some points are very clear… very clear… some are just joining the fun like pouring more fuel to an open fire… thats an aspect our community should improve -period-

my point is we should maybe someone here with little expertise try to tackle each and every issue one by one professionally seriously professional and the most important thing is the others follow discuss and come out with some ideas and hope those protons decision makers open their eyes little bit to automotive enthusias like us…

no point gaduh2 sini sana pointing fingers here n there but the problem still there from the beginning… proton also have to admit if not openly that they have this issue to solve first rather than boasting their new model to the public…

luckily the consumers power here in m'sia is not great so they have survive their first 20 years good domesticly… talking about domestic can anyone tell me why our domestic cars are low in every aspect than the ones that we export? i always thought it is the same with the famous term JDM… but it is actually the other way around… fair huh?

i Suggest that proton should groom their product to meet the bashers std as far as it can because they have the best or should i say highest std in cars…

seriously this is my P.O.V radical or not up to you guys….

leave your difference behind start to give constructive views/comments/suggestion because i believe deep down the bashers meant well they just want to see proton becomes on of the top guns in automobile industry one day perhaps… perhaps… perhaps….

ok thanx gud nite… eh morning oledi?!!

Just move on your life. No point argue here.

You guys like to buy what car, just buy.

that luxurious (heheh) interior, leather seat belongs to that sport car (first pic on that uk patent page) lah…