If it’s fail then Proton can still sell off Chrysler for Rp1.00, tax-free.

Kingbrutal said,
“maybe next time Proton shouldn’t announced anything… but then again it would hurt it’s corperate image.”
>Better for us to review Proton here than being embarrassed worldwide in Top Gear or Times Motoring News.

The caste system exists for the benefit of the downtrodden (positive discrimination, as mentioned above) and not the other way round, at least in theory. A simple Google search on “SC ST OBC” should be insightful.

Getting back to the topic – almost no one outside the automotive circle here in India has heard of Proton. Don’t you think a massive-scale marketing campaign should precede any potential launch? Brand umbrellas like GM and VW had it easier when they came to India – they were already well-known. Hyundai, if I remember correctly, had to build its credibility (against established market leader Maruti-Suzuki) first, because not too many had heard of the brand.

I can imagine the same situation if Perodua or Daihatsu were to enter the Indian market.

“The Indian Constitution has outlawed caste-based discrimination, in keeping with the socialist, secular, democratic principles that founded the nation.[2] Caste barriers have mostly broken down in large cities,[3] though they persist in rural areas of the country. Nevertheless, the caste system, in various forms, continues to survive in modern India strengthened by a combination of social perceptions and divisive politics.” – Wikipedia

as you can read, it is illegal to practise the caste system. but it still presist due to political gain and belief in the rural areas. In most cities, people don’t care that much about caste as long as you have the money…

agree with torque… stop being critical of Proton. give them time… if you yourself made some mistake, wouldn’t you asked for forgiveness? and no, don’t asked for Proton to give you discount or the like… Proton is still a company out to make profit.

agree with peter1… Proton should study the market and geography of India before launching their cars there. Adjust the product to suit the demand there.

just my opinion… ciao…

rover or roewe isn’t doing that well in china.

ps – I’m going against my own advice here, but one thing mentioned earlier needs some clarification:

- “by the way, caste system is illegal in India”

Says who? One of the main classification systems used by the government for allotting quotas for college admission and jobs is based on the caste system. Anyone belonging either to a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) has special rights/privileges which ‘higher castes’ do not enjoy. The tables are quite the opposite way to what westerners think and portray (at least in towns and cities).

by the way, caste system is illegal in India… just some traditionalist are still practising them. and why did the issue of caste has anything to do with Proton? they are there to sell cars… not make a social statement…

Why must rip off other countries? wat u give u get back..so give the best to everyone..and we will receive the rewards in the end..dun get branded as a lousy country that rips off other pple..see china? unless they stop copy cat, they will still be branded as copy cat country..and pple see have set perceptions of thier products and pple.

I guess it’s time for proton to stop ripping off Malaysians and start ripping off other coutries.

not the news… but some of the guys here….

This week I will get my new ‘high end’ Persona. Better than ugly Tata :p

Btw, Tata own Jaguar & Land Rover, In few years their quality will improve maybe. Don’t under estimate India, they have more billionaire compare to us and even United States.

Not only has the company been losing sales at home, it is also plagued by very high cost per car since there are no economies of scale.”

High end-Indian market, this is a luxury car already. Better equip.
quality finishing issues-don’t think people who buy this car over there mind it at all. Like its in their cars as well
Higher cost per car- definitely true. No need to be a rocket scientist to figure that. Regardless what Proton vendors say, overall it is higher cost per car. Smaller production, so higher cost.

RotiNaan said,
“I’m sure there are other car brands that are marketed as low-end cars but sold with quality and finishes”
>You mean Tata Jaguar XJ perhaps? Ok, it’s Land Rover Telcoline pickup, new version soon.

BanyakMasukWorkshop said,
“but actually, in india, the car market is very different than us”
>Sounds like their ‘taboo’ caste social system. The poor ‘untouchables’(southern tamils) versus the rich maharajahs (usually the northern hindustan Singhs).
But ours here differs only on titles: Encik pakcik versus Datuk Seri Tan Sri sh!t like that.

“cars like the persona or vios are considered “luxury” cars, whereas the likes of bmw and merc are considered “super luxury”
>Then Proton Saga, Tata Nano can be considered as ’super meagre’ cars.

Allan said,
“Rumour also has it that the Saga will be coming to Australia, and will be replacing the Savvy which isnt selling well.”
>Savvy is such a crying shame, isn’t it.
How about Proton Arena Jambu there, any replacement? Gonna called as New Proton Saga Angkut pickup?

ALPINA BMW said,
“hope they can learn something from tata or mahindra”
>Sadly Proton didn’t buy Rover.

dodgeviper88 said,
“I think it’s safe to try and sell in China as well although I know they have the whole Gen 2 rebadging thing going on.”
>Safe? Wait til Cherry or Geely copycat Gen2, then resells it here.

RotiNaan said,
“I’m sure there are other car brands that are marketed as low-end cars but sold with quality and finishes”
>You mean Tata Jaguar XJ perhaps? Ok, it’s Land Rover Telcoline pickup, new version soon.

BanyakMasukWorkshop said,
“but actually, in india, the car market is very different than us”
>Sounds like their ‘taboo’ caste social system. The poor ‘untouchables’(southern tamils) versus the rich maharajahs (usually the northern hindustan Singhs).
But ours here differs only on titles: Encik pakcik versus Datuk Seri Tan Sri sh!t like that.

“cars like the persona or vios are considered “luxury” cars, whereas the likes of bmw and merc are considered “super luxury”
>Then Proton Saga, Tata Nano can be considered as ’super meagre’ cars.

Allan said,
“Rumour also has it that the Saga will be coming to Australia, and will be replacing the Savvy which isnt selling well.”
>Savvy is such a crying shame, isn’t it.
How about Proton Arena Jambu there, any replacement? Gonna called as New Proton Saga Angkut pickup?

ALPINA BMW said,
“hope they can learn something from tata or mahindra”
>Sadly Proton didn’t buy Rover.

dodgeviper88 said,
“I think it’s safe to try and sell in China as well although I know they have the whole Gen 2 rebadging thing going on.”
>Safe? Wait til Cherry or Geely copycat Gen2, then resells it here.

The Nano, when it is launched here (probably in October, so that it coincides with a local religious festival), will bring mobility to people who could only dream of owning a car… that’s why it has to be priced so low (around RM 10,000 on-road, expected). If that means sacrificing a wiper blade, seat adjustment, an external fuel filler or even the rear hatch, so be it. At least a family of four won’t have to rough it out on a scooter in the rain any more !

And yes, in such a scenario, the Proton Saga looks a bit like a luxury proposition. If the company can get its marketing right (fewer than 1 out of 10 people here know the brand), it could strike gold.

Off topic, but I read in some Australian magazine recently that Proton Australia is really keen on the R3, and they apparently have a turbocharged R3 doing some testing down under.

Tata Nano’s arent even sold elsewhere as they are too low end :p