Here is a letter sent in by Kumaresan Balakrishnan, a student from Johor Bahru currently studying in the UK. He shares with us a little about Proton cars in the UK.
I am a student originally from Johor Bahru, now at the Hull University Business School, doing Marketing and Logistics.
I have pictures of UK police Waja fleet. The Humberside Police in Yorkshire have a fleet 90% comprising of Wiras, and Wajas, and their plainclothes police drive GEN2’s.
Protons are extremely popular in Hull. I see many of them while walking to University from my house. Also, 50% of the taxis in Hull are Protons. Hull is the 7th largest city in England.
I have spoken to Proton owners here and they have nothing but praise for the vehicle, which I found unbelievable judging by the amount of problems my mum’s Waja has been giving her.
While taking a picture of the front of a police Waja, I was caught by the policeman who was using the vehicle. He had just returned from buying a sandwich at Subway.
After explaining to him why I was doing it he kindly allowed me to open the door and take a picture of the dashboard, but he was a bit shy and declined to let me take a picture of the car with him in it.
Everybody I ask seems to love their Protons here. Very, very, very strange for a person like me to hear such comments. I wonder if the quality control of export-bound Protons really are that much better.
More photos after the jump.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments highlighted significant differences in quality and features between export and local Proton models, with many asserting export cars are better-built, more reliable, and have higher safety standards. Several users pointed out that Proton's export models, particularly in the UK, receive better quality control, warranties, and optional features, while local models often suffer from poor QC, rust, and defects like power window failures. Discussions also touch on Proton's manufacturing practices, varied standards, and the notion that government policies may influence quality discrepancies. Sentiments range from frustration with Malaysian Proton cars to pride in their international reputation. Many believe Proton's reputation would improve if domestic models matched export standards, and some suggest that internal factory differences, assembly lines, or homologation requirements account for the disparities.