Proton Saga to make Australia debut early 2010
The Proton Saga will be entering the Australian market in early 2010. Proton will sell the Saga with a 1.6 liter Campro engine, an engine size up from the 1.3 liter consumer version we get here.
Proton Cars Australia says the Proton Saga will be Australia’s cheapest sedan, which won’t necessarily mean it will be Australia’s cheapest car as most cheap cars are 5-door hatches, which would not lay claim to the cheapest sedan title.
According to Proton Cars Australia, there are currently 25,000 Protons on the road down under right now and hopefully the new Saga will increase those numbers.
While a 1.6 liter version of the Proton Saga isn’t officially on sale in Malaysia yet, there have been classifieds ads appearing all over (such as this) advertising limited units of a Saga 1.6 for sale. The specs include a 1.6 Campro IAFM engine with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The ads also say it is only available in solid red which leads me to believe these are the taxi cars being sold to consumers who want it.
Prices range from between RM39k to RM43k from what I’ve seen and the equipment is minimal, with steel wheels and no airbags, but there are front power windows.
May 21, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
malaysia Boleh!!
May 21, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
dunno this model can sell or not there
May 21, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
All the best P1
May 21, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
nice try~~
May 21, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
1st… heheheh
hopefully they will introduce for us too.
May 21, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
Any chance of P1 selling Saga 1.6 to the public?
May 21, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
i saw at some website got ppl promoting to sell limited saga 1.6. is it really limited edition from proton?
May 21, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
I think towards 2010, Malaysia also will get Saga BLM 1.6 as an option.
May 21, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
It is probably taxi stock. Only available in solid red with no airbags and steel wheels. RM39k.
May 21, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
I did ask one of the guys at the Proton Service Centre before…
He said that Proton has the plans to come out with a 1.6 version…
And apparently this version might even have ABS as well as all the options that can be seen in the Instructions Manual but not in the car…
=)
May 21, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
saga h-line?
May 21, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
Kereta lain banyak ad, kenapa nak saga 1.6 jugak. Adoh, biar la Aussie pakai Saga 1.6, the country requires long distance so min 1.6 would be just right unless you need a city car. Most of their car are of large cc – the Holdens, Crown Vic and even Camry comes in 3.0 V engines. And not forgetting the F series pickup – yummy besides the LHD muscle cars.
May 21, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
[quote comment="240243"]I did ask one of the guys at the Proton Service Centre before…
He said that Proton has the plans to come out with a 1.6 version…
And apparently this version might even have ABS as well as all the options that can be seen in the Instructions Manual but not in the car…
=)[/quote]
Hopefully it will be 1.6 Campro CPS…
May 21, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
hehehe..
the next car of reasonable priced car for topgear australia?
May 21, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
GOOOOOOO PROTON!!
MALAYSIA BOLEH!
May 21, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
I want saga H-Line with M-Line price… pleaseeee…
H-Line = Red Concept ? if rm5k more than M-Line, ok loh…
waiting for H-Line… DSZ.. u read my comments? please come out with new H-Line, so new Viva have no chance loh….hehe
.Thanks in advance
May 21, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
What’s the point of having Saga 1.6 here? Won’t it cannibalize sales of Persona?
May 21, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features!
May 21, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
[quote comment="240276"]Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features![/quote]
if they don’t try and enter the market then u’ll said they scared of playing on lvl playing field…. duh…
May 21, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
just wnet to proton last week and saw a unit there too. apperently it is the taxi spec and they started to sell it to the public from april onwards.
and form the insider news i got, there will be H-Line saga soon. also a 1.6 but with twin airbags, possibly abs and bodykit.
May 21, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Proton will launch SAGA SE in July 09 for local market!
May 21, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
if saga 1.6 iafm, aiyoo neo lite or m-line still basic engine,
saga more spritely than neo..?,
May 21, 2009 @ 5:53 pm
can’t wait to see it get smashed in Top Gear Australia!
May 21, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Australian is fatter than Malaysian? They’re having a bigger CC car to move them.
May 21, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
[quote comment="240292"]Australian is fatter than Malaysian? They’re having a bigger CC car to move them.[/quote]
You could the Aussies ‘kerb weight’ is very heavy…lol.
May 21, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
This model will sell. Price is one thing that makes people buy even there. Taxis would do the trick
May 21, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
good job from proton! they shud try to sell exora too… but bigger engine…try to build same spec cps but bigger cylinder.. 2.0 perhaps? because, i’ve been in the exora already.. the 1.6 engine indeed, is enough to move the car loaded with all adults. but yah.. aussie might have larger kerb weight…
hahaha
May 21, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
damn.. i think this car will outrun Civic 2.0 or Lancer GT for pick-up…
May 21, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
tough market for tough car! proton? wish u a luck…
May 21, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
[quote comment="240284"]Proton will launch SAGA SE in July 09 for local market![/quote]
—–
is it? yahoooooo…..
May 21, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
To theking. You said that Proton is going to launch Proton Saga SE in July. Are you sure? Anyone can confirm? Actually, I’m looking for facelifted of Saga or SE. Dual airbags + ABS would be good and 1.6L Campro IAFM without CPS also good enough.
sutheshkumar. If not H-Line, at least Proton comes with a facelifted Saga early next year. 1.3L IAFM oklah but with dual airbags, driver and passenger pre-tentioner seat belts and ABS. RM43K-RM45K? Can do? Then I’ll go for this one. Hahaha….
Paul and tokmoh, any info on this? I would like to see Saga SE or facelifted model of Saga. Thanks all.
May 21, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
hope that p1 will enhance the spec of this car before sell it to ausie.it is not enough if they just change the engine
May 22, 2009 @ 2:00 am
good job proton.
proud to be malaysian when see too many satria GTI running otr in australia..
saga.. good car,good price,safety,simple,cool design and medium quality…
May 22, 2009 @ 2:37 am
thr are jus too many 1.6cc engine in all proton cars now , very hard to difrentiate and it will eat up sales within proton models itself …saga should be kept 1.3 , bcos every other car , waja,gen2,neo,exora all using the same engine same capacity…
May 22, 2009 @ 3:52 am
r we really 3rd class citizen? omg we are still using hand technologies to wind down the window, airbags? forget that lah, if everybody got airbags, hospital no business lah, wat a pity, to us airbags, ABS, EPS, etc is a luxury accessories and not standard safety features for malaysians.
May 22, 2009 @ 7:00 am
How can Proton sell their cars here in Australia? Korean companies have already filled the low-end market. Their cars come with 3years unlimited warranty and top notch safety features such as standard airbags and power windows. all at a cheap price of 14K. Moreover, Korean cars look better, more reliable and have better resale value
Msia Boleh?? Maybe Not.
May 22, 2009 @ 7:55 am
Those are excess taxi saga man. Just like what they did to the 1.5 iswara sedan before, which is red too (at that time only 1.3 aeroback are selling). Do you think Syed Zainal will allow proton model lineup to compete each other? No. The 1.6 market already been filled by the Persona, gen-2, Neo, and even the old Waja.
May 22, 2009 @ 8:04 am
[quote comment="240368"]How can Proton sell their cars here in Australia? Korean companies have already filled the low-end market. Their cars come with 3years unlimited warranty and top notch safety features such as standard airbags and power windows. all at a cheap price of 14K. Moreover, Korean cars look better, more reliable and have better resale value
Msia Boleh?? Maybe Not.[/quote]
—-
it is because u r not living in Korea, u live in Msia. when u live there, you’ll heard lot complaint about their car also. But Korean not as stupid as u, who give bad comments on their country’s own product. shame on u bro..
i’m waiting for new facelift of this Saga, maybe can book 1 if it is as sot as Red Concept. Tq
May 22, 2009 @ 8:08 am
look what our 3rd world mindset… x enter market kutuk, caci… bila masuk market pun kene caci, kutuk… to those who really want s**t proton please buy other cars, its your money rite? btw new saga at singapore beat myvi score (saga 3.5 star, myvi 2.5star)….
http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_reviews.php?Make=Proton&CarCode=10576 <= proton saga
http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_reviews.php?CarCode=10678 <= perodua myvi
btw, its good to see aussie modded saga just like what they did with gen2.
May 22, 2009 @ 8:09 am
Haha…
Anyway, good luck!
May 22, 2009 @ 9:03 am
Selling to a country where people use Prius as Taxi?
Good luck!
Btw, I saw a 1.6 Saga Taxi 2 weeks back.
May 22, 2009 @ 9:09 am
[quote comment="240276"]Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features![/quote]
ermm.. but aren’t they ‘already’ in the australian market? why are people talking as if proton has never sold a single car in australia?
May 22, 2009 @ 9:15 am
[quote comment="240353"]r we really 3rd class citizen? omg we are still using hand technologies to wind down the window, airbags? forget that lah, if everybody got airbags, hospital no business lah, wat a pity, to us airbags, ABS, EPS, etc is a luxury accessories and not standard safety features for malaysians.[/quote]
Airbags, ABS is good to have, but don’t mean a thing if you drive like a MADMAN! You’ll still crash hard
May 22, 2009 @ 9:18 am
GuChia Lian said,[quote comment="240353"]r we really 3rd class citizen? omg we are still using hand technologies to wind down the window, airbags? forget that lah, if everybody got airbags, hospital no business lah, wat a pity, to us airbags, ABS, EPS, etc is a luxury accessories and not standard safety features for malaysians.[/quote]
Ummm…. The base model Corolla Ascent Seca (Hatchback) & Sedan here in Australia have manual window winders. Power windows are an option, and you’ll either get the nice switch panels fitted from the factory, or crappy looking dealer fitted power window switches.
May 22, 2009 @ 9:20 am
And it was only mid last year that Toyota Australia made front power windows as standard on the Ascent (Basic model.) grade.
May 22, 2009 @ 9:41 am
[quote comment="240368"]How can Proton sell their cars here in Australia? Korean companies have already filled the low-end market. Their cars come with 3years unlimited warranty and top notch safety features such as standard airbags and power windows. all at a cheap price of 14K. Moreover, Korean cars look better, more reliable and have better resale value
Msia Boleh?? Maybe Not.[/quote]
I think we have to give a little credit to Proton as well. As Paul mentioned there are 25,000 Protons on the Australian roads, and IMO it’s quite a big number comparing to tough market over there.
Korean made is among the cheapest but sometime people also want something different in looks and brands for their cars.
May 22, 2009 @ 9:50 am
Bebelon said,
May 21, 2009 @ 5:25 pm · Reply with quote
Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features!
hi bebelon,
every market is full of compatition, do make mal protcted market as a norm!
May 22, 2009 @ 9:52 am
[quote comment="240318"]To theking. You said that Proton is going to launch Proton Saga SE in July. Are you sure? Anyone can confirm? Actually, I’m looking for facelifted of Saga or SE. Dual airbags + ABS would be good and 1.6L Campro IAFM without CPS also good enough…[/quote]
*if theking spoke the truth, then we might hear smthg even more interesting than saga se.
*if saga se 1.6 is sold at price lesser than myvi premium, voila!
[quote comment="240353"]r we really 3rd class citizen? omg we are still using hand technologies to wind down the window, airbags? forget that lah, if everybody got airbags, hospital no business lah, wat a pity, to us airbags, ABS, EPS, etc is a luxury accessories and not standard safety features for malaysians.[/quote]
*anyhow, i prefer handwind of old tech.
*more 3alphabets should be introduced by proton to gain customer.
[quote comment="240276"]Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features![/quote]
*give the aussie more choice. good move by proton.
*simple car, less headache.
May 22, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Sending them there doesn’t mean they will sell well. Can someone say fleet sales? Usually highly discounted with service/parts packaging thrown in?
For the average consumers, Proton is going to have stiff competition with the far more established Koreans which are already selling at bottom scrapping prices.
However all the best for Proton anyway.
May 22, 2009 @ 10:14 am
[quote comment="240353"]forget that lah, if everybody got airbags, hospital no business lah, wat a pity, to us airbags, ABS, EPS, etc is a luxury accessories and not standard safety features for malaysians.[/quote]
going with the same idea, i probably think that Proton’s SC may not be able to handle/cope complex repair/maintenance issues (like duh!)
this MAY be a scenario at a PSC………..(MAY only, ok!)
cust: saya ada problem dengan ABS
clueless Proton SC guy (PSC): macamana u tau u punya ABS ada problem
cust: bila i emergency brek, brek terus lock
PSC: betul ke ni? u tau ke pakai ABS? kereta baru lagi….mana boleh ABS fail….u silap driving kot
cust: apa u cakap macam ni? panggil u punya supervisor!
PSC: ABS mana boleh fail punya. tak pa, kitaorang tengok macamana
(PSC goes into the backroom, asks for supervisor)
PSC supervisor: apa problem encik?
cust: ABS tak working la
PSC supervisor: mana boleh ABS Proton fail….kereta baru lagi ni
cust: macam ni la encik, nasib baik saya tak mati langgar lembu kat tengah jalan tu. ABS saya sudah fail!
PSC supervisor: ok encik, kami check tengok. encik balik dulu, kami call encik bila dah siap.
cust: bila agak-agak boleh siap.
PSC supervisor: tak sure la. nanti siap kami call.
cust: saya guna kereta ni satu je. takkan tak boleh agak bila boleh siap?
PSC supervisor: tak pernah ada problem macam ni. ok encik, encik balik dulu, kami check kereta sekarang.
(cust goes home and tried to accept his fate, the PSC wondered what to do next decided a 2-hour break is the best option)
disclaimer: just a fantasy scenario for laughs and really hope this is not a reality, ok!
May 22, 2009 @ 10:19 am
people got their own oppinion…
dont say it’s imposibble for proton to sell the car there..we cant even predict what people will buy…
saw few Chana MPV on the road…it’s a cheap practical car….some people like it so they buy it…surely they dont care what people said about the car…
May 22, 2009 @ 11:24 am
gud luck proton!!.
May 22, 2009 @ 11:29 am
[quote comment="240403"][quote comment="240353"]forget that lah, if everybody got airbags, hospital no business lah, wat a pity, to us airbags, ABS, EPS, etc is a luxury accessories and not standard safety features for malaysians.[/quote]
going with the same idea, i probably think that Proton’s SC may not be able bla..bla..bla..k![/quote]
—-
BASIC KNOWLEDGE..
ABS will not works if u didnot wear your seatbelt..
May 22, 2009 @ 11:33 am
I do not recall the ABS system of any car not working if you do not wear your seatbelt. Do you mean airbag?
May 22, 2009 @ 11:53 am
[quote comment="240424"]I do not recall the ABS system of any car not working if you do not wear your seatbelt. Do you mean airbag?[/quote]
–
ya ya..Airbag and not ABS.. typo error.. TQ Paul for remind me.. hehe
just my trick to know whether malaysian know or not.. because mostly and almost all time they didnot want to wear the seatbelt, and claim the Airbag failed ..
maybe si-fu can give his comment about this ABS failure
May 22, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
Australia uses Prius for taxi? Huh? That surely isn’t in Melbourne. Most of the taxis are Fords.
May 22, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
Nice try P1. Hopefully can get +ve feedback from the Aussie.
Salam..
May 22, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
If they launch a Saga 1.6 in Indonesia in July still with competitive pricing. It will sell well. Currently it sells quite well here. Please put a ABS on it and it will be the most complete sedan in Indonesia.
May 22, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
[quote comment="240231"]dunno this model can sell or not there[/quote]
don’t be negative thinking frenz
May 22, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
[quote comment="240368"]How can Proton sell their cars here in Australia? Korean companies have already filled the low-end market. Their cars come with 3years unlimited warranty and top notch safety features such as standard airbags and power windows. all at a cheap price of 14K. Moreover, Korean cars look better, more reliable and have better resale value
Msia Boleh?? Maybe Not.[/quote]
don’t be negative thinking frenz..
May 22, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
Actually, if they plonked in a 1.6 Campro CPS into a Saga, wouldn’t it be at least as fast as a Suzuki Swift Sport?
Both engines have similar power output and both cars have similar weight.
Tune the suspension a little, put bigger wheels, bodykit and a Saga 1.6 CPS would be pretty awesome.
May 22, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
ABS is smthg to do with BRAKE.
SRS is smthg to do with AIRBAG.
dun mix them up
May 22, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
i’ll definitely choose dis SAGA 1.6 instead of Persona if they equipped it with :
- 1.6 Campro CPS
- ABS, EBD n SRS Airbag
- 15″ wheel n rim as stock
- rear power window
- better manual trans (like Persona, Gen2, Waja, Neo manual manual trans)
*Just my 2 cents…peace
May 22, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
Last but not least…rear disc brake…
May 22, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
[quote comment="240494"]i’ll definitely choose dis SAGA 1.6 instead of Persona if they equipped it with :
[/quote]
- 1.6 Campro CPS
- ABS, EBD n SRS Airbag
- 15″ wheel n rim as stock
- rear power window
- better manual trans (like Persona, Gen2, Waja, Neo manual manual trans)
*Just my 2 cents…peace
Nanti mahal sangat pulak, only small numbers of buyer.. is it practical?
May 22, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
Later Persona, Gen.2 & Waja sales effected by the 1.6 SE SAGA. I dont believe that 1.6L SE SAGA will be mass produce, as it will affect other Proton models…
I think Proton should venture bigger class cars and not Gen.2, Persona & Waja only as these almost in the same class…
I think is time to have a new Perdana back in bigger class to compete with Camry or Accord.
May 22, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
[quote comment="240525"]Later Persona, Gen.2 & Waja sales effected by the 1.6 SE SAGA. I dont believe that 1.6L SE SAGA will be mass produce, as it will affect other Proton models…
I think Proton should venture bigger class cars and not Gen.2, Persona & Waja only as these almost in the same class…
I think is time to have a new Perdana back in bigger class to compete with Camry or Accord.[/quote]
but then again gen2 should be almost at the end of it’s product life, whilst new waja will be 1.8 and above if i’m not mistaken… so it won’t really affect those two models…. the only to be affected is persona… but then again there will be size and styling advantages… so.. who knows…
May 22, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
proton is pricing their cars like some sort of expensive brand in Aust. i bought a Ford Fiesta which was cheaper than the Savvy, and i rarely see any proton even the new models, only the old Satria i see all over the place
May 22, 2009 @ 5:20 pm
[quote comment="240547"]proton is pricing their cars like some sort of expensive brand in Aust. i bought a Ford Fiesta which was cheaper than the Savvy, and i rarely see any proton even the new models, only the old Satria i see all over the place[/quote]
I’m not sure who is misleading but from below link’s :
In Australia – Ford Fiesta WS CL Hatchback 5dr Man 5sp 1.6i – AUS $17,190
and – Proton Savvy BT S2 Hatchback 5dr Man 5sp 1.1i – AUS $13,990.
Reference :-
http://www.carpoint.com.au/new-cars/details.aspx?Cr=1&R=452116&trecs=142&__Ns=p_Make_String|0||p_Family_String|0||p_Badge_String|0||p_Series_String|0||p_NewPrice_Decimal|0&__sid=12169BFC8EF7&__Nne=15&__No=45&SearchAction=N&seot=0&__N=2994%202951%204294961316&silo=1204
and
http://www.carpoint.com.au/new-cars/details.aspx?R=452352&__sid=12169BCDBCBC&Cr=5&__Ns=p_Make_String|0||p_Family_String|0||p_Badge_String|0||p_Series_String|0||p_NewPrice_Decimal|0&SearchAction=N&__N=2994%202951%204294945226&seot=0&__No=15&__Nne=15&trecs=22&silo=1204
May 22, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
si-fu will comment with a laugh.
May 22, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
the above post is for Commerdz and not for Paul.
had the coding mixed up.
May 22, 2009 @ 5:33 pm
[quote comment="240557"][quote comment="240547"]proton is pricing their cars like some sort of expensive brand in Aust. i bought a Ford Fiesta which was cheaper than the Savvy, and i rarely see any proton even the new models, only the old Satria i see all over the place[/quote]
I’m not sure who is misleading but from below link’s :
In Australia – Ford Fiesta WS CL Hatchback 5dr Man 5sp 1.6i – AUS $17,190
and – Proton Savvy BT S2 Hatchback 5dr Man 5sp 1.1i – AUS $13,990.
Reference :-
http://www.carpoint.com.au/new-cars/details.aspx?Cr=1&R=452116&trecs=142&__Ns=p_Make_String|0||p_Family_String|0||p_Badge_String|0||p_Series_String|0||p_NewPrice_Decimal|0&__sid=12169BFC8EF7&__Nne=15&__No=45&SearchAction=N&seot=0&__N=2994%202951%204294961316&silo=1204
and
http://www.carpoint.com.au/new-cars/details.aspx?R=452352&__sid=12169BCDBCBC&Cr=5&__Ns=p_Make_String|0||p_Family_String|0||p_Badge_String|0||p_Series_String|0||p_NewPrice_Decimal|0&SearchAction=N&__N=2994%202951%204294945226&seot=0&__No=15&__Nne=15&trecs=22&silo=1204[/quote]
that’s the price of the new Fiesta (Verve concept) 6th gen, the fiesta i was referring to is the 5th gen and was priced at 14k with a 1.6 engine. my apologies
May 22, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
[quote comment="240557"][quote comment="240547"]proton is pricing their cars like some sort of expensive brand in Aust. i bought a Ford Fiesta which was cheaper than the Savvy, and i rarely see any proton even the new models, only the old Satria i see all over the place[/quote]
I’m not sure who is misleading but from below link’s :
In Australia – Ford Fiesta WS CL Hatchback 5dr Man 5sp 1.6i – AUS $17,190
and – Proton Savvy BT S2 Hatchback 5dr Man 5sp 1.1i – AUS $13,990.
Reference :-
http://www.carpoint.com.au/new-cars/details.aspx?Cr=1&R=452116&trecs=142&
and
http://www.carpoint.com.au/new-cars/details.aspx?R=452352&/quote
Sorry, reference links corrected…
Really tak puas hati kata Ford fiesta lebih murah dari savvy… mana logic?
May 22, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
Did you know the price Proton Oz is targeting is AUD12k? Do the math yourself. Indeed Malaysia Boleh. We’re the first country to make cars cheaper by putting them on a sea trip!!!
May 22, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
I hope those who commented abt Saga’s sale or its selling points in Australia really know what they are talking about because automotive marketing is a wide subject, and trying to understand the market segment, penetration, which model, the price and other factors are another complicated matter to elaborate and understand.
Saga in general is a success, congrats Proton! Perhaps a little bit more of quality monitoring and minor design change (like at the fog light) would push the sale and brand further. Maybe its just me or really the rear absober of the new Saga is too soft, that when only 2 adults sit at the back, the rear looks terribly pressed down.
Hopefully when Saga enters Australia, it has been made to suit the country, and have gone a complete testing.
May 22, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
A fully loaded Rav4 cost less than A$30K. Why am i buying a Proton with less safty. In some part of the world than Msia, we are not buying cars that risk our lives..good luck to proton. camry hybrid is coming up and the whole car is shifting to either electric and hybrid..see how long can proton catch up, or push the citizen to use the old technology by selling high as usual.
May 23, 2009 @ 12:27 am
[quote comment="240561"]
that’s the price of the new Fiesta (Verve concept) 6th gen, the fiesta i was referring to is the 5th gen and was priced at 14k with a 1.6 engine. my apologies[/quote]
So u r actually comparing a used-2007 Ford fiesta which is cost A$14,500 with a brand new Savvy A$14,000?
I think that’s not fair. Thanks, I’m still wondering.
http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/FORD/FIESTA/Queensland/csn7028668.aspx
May 23, 2009 @ 2:43 am
[quote comment="240628"]A fully loaded Rav4 cost less than A$30K. Why am i buying a Proton with less safty. In some part of the world than Msia, we are not buying cars that risk our lives..good luck to proton. camry hybrid is coming up and the whole car is shifting to either electric and hybrid..see how long can proton catch up, or push the citizen to use the old technology by selling high as usual.[/quote]
Because a proton doesn’t cost A$30k?
Actually people, 1.6 Saga wouldn’t hurt the sales of other models… IF Proton is also releasing CamPRO 2.0.
Big if. 
May 23, 2009 @ 9:11 am
[quote comment="240276"]Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features![/quote]
Tidak gentar, tidak pernah ku jiwaku terketar,
Apa jua yang merintang ku pasti jua bertahan,
Dan teguh kedepan, mengibarkan sayap impian bergemerlapan
menuju pergi ke hala persana nan tinggi.
listen here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc8q8-itIDE
Thats why i’m very proud with proton.
May 23, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Ask most aussie what Proton is and they’ll say…”Whats that? Is that a new asian restaurant?” The market penetration for Proton in Aussie is barely existant. The reality is… hardly anyone in Australia cares about Proton. There no technological breakthrough within any of the proton models. It is not the best value for money (Koreans own this class, compare what you get for what you pay). It has won no international awards. In other words there is not enough international publicity to boost its image. In a culture which still says “Jap crap”, the proton is a dark hourse which will most probably stay in the shadows.
Sorry Proton, until you can produce something that makes you internationally competitive, you customers will remain only those ignorant and ill informed in the Aussie market. Keep trying. Hopefully one day the Proton will be a new Hyundai Excel.
May 23, 2009 @ 10:32 am
[quote comment="240641"][quote comment="240561"]
that’s the price of the new Fiesta (Verve concept) 6th gen, the fiesta i was referring to is the 5th gen and was priced at 14k with a 1.6 engine. my apologies[/quote]
So u r actually comparing a used-2007 Ford fiesta which is cost A$14,500 with a brand new Savvy A$14,000?
I think that’s not fair. Thanks, I’m still wondering.
http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/FORD/FIESTA/Queensland/csn7028668.aspx/quote
Nope, bought a new Fiesta at 14k with all on road cost, Savvy was 14k without on road cost.
May 23, 2009 @ 10:37 am
[quote comment="240713"]Ask most aussie what Proton is and they’ll say…”Whats that? Is that a new asian restaurant?” The market penetration for Proton in Aussie is barely existant. The reality is… hardly anyone in Australia cares about Proton. There no technological breakthrough within any of the proton models. It is not the best value for money (Koreans own this class, compare what you get for what you pay). It has won no international awards. In other words there is not enough international publicity to boost its image. In a culture which still says “Jap crap”, the proton is a dark hourse which will most probably stay in the shadows.
Sorry Proton, until you can produce something that makes you internationally
competitive, you customers will remain only those ignorant and ill informed in the Aussie market. Keep trying. Hopefully one day the Proton will be a new Hyundai Excel.[/quote]
very well said. if i was ripped off in my home country (forced to buy P1/P2) i wasn’t going to travel 2000 miles and get ripped off again
May 23, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
It never happened , and australia cars are cheap how they can bring in proton easily ? there got high end competitors like toyota and they can even pawn them easily ,!
May 23, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
[quote comment="240733"]
Nope, bought a new Fiesta at 14k with all on road cost, Savvy was 14k without on road cost.[/quote]
Any link to back u up?
May 23, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
[quote comment="240794"]It never happened , and australia cars are cheap how they can bring in proton easily ? there got high end competitors like toyota and they can even pawn them easily ,![/quote]
Even though Proton is unknown brand in Australia they still managed to sell it 25,000 units. Off course they can’t compete with Korean and Japanese brand but for Ausies Proton also is an imported brand not like malaysian consider it as local product.
In malaysian mind set anything local product=not good and any imported product=very good ???
May 23, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
[quote comment="240278"][quote comment="240276"]Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features![/quote]
if they don’t try and enter the market then u’ll said they scared of playing on lvl playing field…. duh…[/quote]
proton should adopt Nash equilibrium strategy
May 23, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
[quote comment="240278"][quote comment="240276"]Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features![/quote]
if they don’t try and enter the market then u’ll said they scared of playing on lvl playing field…. duh…[/quote]
but proton in australia does come with advanced safety features (and other nifty features, which i don’t think is available in the m’sian market). eg. the gen.2 in aus even has dual side airbags and 10 disc cd changer and cruise control. so it does make it quite an attractive bargain here. besides, i’ve read the local aussie magazines here and they gave proton cars fairly good reviews (save for some concern on quality of past models). but otherwise to be honest, the gen.2 and satria neo look way more sporty than competition of similar price. only problem is, i feel not enough aggressive marketing is done here to get ppl’s attention.
May 23, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
[quote comment="240889"][quote comment="240278"][quote comment="240276"]Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features![/quote]
if they don’t try and enter the market then u’ll said they scared of playing on lvl playing field…. duh…[/quote]
but proton in australia does come with advanced safety features (and other nifty features, which i don’t think is available in the m’sian market). eg. the gen.2 in aus even has dual side airbags and 10 disc cd changer and cruise control. so it does make it quite an attractive bargain here. besides, i’ve read the local aussie magazines here and they gave proton cars fairly good reviews (save for some concern on quality of past models). but otherwise to be honest, the gen.2 and satria neo look way more sporty than competition of similar price. only problem is, i feel not enough aggressive marketing is done here to get ppl’s attention.[/quote]
whoops forgot the links:
http://www.proton.com.au/#/gen2/accessories/
http://www.proton.com.au/media/pdf/3419_Proton_New_Gen2_InBrief.pdf
May 23, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
think,
saga a 1.6 iafm patrol, should be very punchy, (its 1.6 iafm actually powered the persona),
and if this saga is properly revised transmission for long distant journey especially in australia, (economy and tall cruising gear), it gives some value, economy wise, this saga is a great car.
May 23, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
[quote comment="240810"][quote comment="240733"]
Nope, bought a new Fiesta at 14k with all on road cost, Savvy was 14k without on road cost.[/quote]
Any link to back u up?[/quote]
no i dont have any link to back up, i went car hunting and that’s what i got. If you don’t like it, it’s too bad, but that’s what i got and i like what i got for that money.
and one more thing websites dont mean anything, go to a showroom and the price wont be the same as websites. maybe you need to travel more.
May 23, 2009 @ 10:03 pm
[quote comment="240905"][quote comment="240810"][quote comment="240733"]
Nope, bought a new Fiesta at 14k with all on road cost, Savvy was 14k without on road cost.[/quote]
Any link to back u up?[/quote]
no i dont have any link to back up, i went car hunting and that’s what i got. If you don’t like it, it’s too bad, but that’s what i got and i like what i got for that money.
and one more thing websites dont mean anything, go to a showroom and the price wont be the same as websites. maybe you need to travel more.[/quote]
I’ve only been to Australia twice just for a short trip. Now I’m working in Japan..
May 24, 2009 @ 11:41 pm
[quote comment="240276"]Don’t understand why proton saga want to enter Australia market..You know how competitive is in Australia car market? With only 10-15K Aussie Dollor, U can have Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Honda, Nissan equipped with all advanced safety features![/quote]
Currently, the small sedan segment (<2.0L) is the fastest growing automotive segment in Australia. Sure, the falcons and commodores are nice cars, but heck, they are the size of a BMW 7-series and use 4.0 or 6.0L engines…and drink petrol like water.
Do not believe the prices on websites: A mid range Jazz or Yaris (Vios) with four doors will cost about $22,000 AUD including insurance and delivery charges. A mid range corolla or civic costs about $30k OTR. The ~AUD15000 cars from major japanese companies are 3 door manual versions and do not include delivery/registration/plates/insurance.
Proton’s real competition is going to be the koreans and the chinese companies that are going to come in next year.
Currently, their pricing IS actually competitive(!) even though they are slightly more expensive in australia than malaysia (hard to believe eh…) … but they arent quite as competitive as the Korean makes.
Proton _really_ needs to expand it’s dealer network in Australia first: There are only 3 dealers in Victoria (the state Melbourne is in) last time I checked (when i was car shopping)… Even then, I’ve seen a savvy or two around =)
May 25, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Stupid car
May 26, 2009 @ 10:56 am
[quote comment="241183"]Stupid car[/quote]
haha… long time no comments like this from JULIAN_LEE…
May 26, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
[quote comment="241183"]Stupid car[/quote]
wat car do u own n drive?hehehe…
May 26, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
SAGA SE in July 09 is confirmed.
Then in Q4 2010, Exora and Saga with Campro FE Turbo.
May 26, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
May 26, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
[quote comment="241374"]8) what is this FE?[/quote]
Fuc*ing expensive!……..LOL
May 26, 2009 @ 9:20 pm
FE=Fuel Efficent ?
May 27, 2009 @ 12:03 am
I had my Proton Saga 1.3 for a year now. It is a good car with good ride and handling, trouble free. Just bought a second hand savvy (2005), a good car as well. Feel save driving them, their bodies made of high tensile steel. Commonwealth members should be proud of Proton too.
May 27, 2009 @ 9:28 am
[quote comment="241406"][quote comment="241374"]8) what is this FE?[/quote]
Fuc*ing expensive!……..LOL[/quote]
o_O
hahaha
May 27, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
[quote comment="241366"]SAGA SE in July 09 is confirmed.
Then in Q4 2010, Exora and Saga with Campro FE Turbo.[/quote]
Campro FE Turbo!!! wow!! theking, mind sharing with us what “FE” stands for?
And I assume they are 1.3 and 1.6 displacements right? 1.3 Turbo for the Saga and 1.6 Turbo for the Exora, I presume? But why not for the Persona?
Haha.. sorry.. so many questions.
June 8, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
the 25,000 figure must have been pulled out of thin air. protons are non existant on the roads everyday i drive.
proton dealerships have closed down in most places. switching to more profitable ones like mazda or some korean ones. as for the cost, sometimes its better off just to wait a while to save up more money for a better car. since the cars dont differ much in price (at least in the 15k-23k aud crowd).
from what i can see, proton has no chance at all to compete against hyundai and even more so when thier i20 comes. even now they are desperate and offering 5 year full warranty and 3 years free service for every proton. i cant help but think who is actually paying for it.
people who think proton has a chance are deluded.