We’re here in the Lion City to catch Formula 1’s only night race this weekend, and we’re seeing some familiar sights at Singapore’s Clarke Quay. Proton and its subsidiary Group Lotus, which is of course the title sponsor of Lotus-Renault GP, is making its presence felt in Singapore with a showcase amidst the trendy bars and restaurants of the riverside area.
The showcase features the main star – a Lotus-Renault GP F1 car – flanked by a white Lotus Evora and the sportiest production Proton, the R3 Satria Neo. Besides the machines, there’s a stall selling official LRGP merchandise as well as a Batak Machine.
The latter is a fun activity that tests and trains reflexes and is used as an F1 training simulator as well. Basically, the lights pop up and you hit the button – who hits more in one minute wins. The Batak duel was a big crowd puller among the Clake Quay crowd – I gave it a try as well and realised that my reflexes needed a lot of training!
We missed her, but Miss Universe Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs, Proton’s brand ambassador Down Under, made an appearance as well.
If you’re wondering why Proton is at an F1 race, it’s to support Group Lotus and to benefit from the association with the sports car brand. “It’s not Proton in F1, it’s Lotus. Proton has no business being in F1,” said Proton MD Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin.
Both him and Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar revealed that the gold “Lotus” name is in among the top 10 most visible brands in Formula 1 (among the many names and sponsors) as tracked by two UK based agencies used by the sport.
They said that brand awareness is what Group Lotus is chasing after, and this brand awareness is crucial to support Lotus’ upcoming new gen of cars, starting with the Esprit in 2013. According to the plan, “when the Esprit comes out, it will come out in a very good environment, says Syed Zainal. “We want to bring the (brand) awareness back to the level seen 25 years ago,” added Bahar, who sounds consistent with his Paris 2010 speech.
As for LRGP, they’re not expecting too much from this weekend, as the R31 is not suited to Singapore’s layout. Team boss Eric Boullier also revealed that they’ve abandoned the updates brought in for this race, namely tighter bodywork and sidepods. It wasn’t a problem with the new stuff, but a problem with water flow for the radiators. Better not to risk it, so it was back to default. The updates will debut in Japan.
Will Sebastian Vettel be crowned world champion for the second time tomorrow? No one dares to bet against that happening, but Alonso and the McLaren boys will be all out to spoil the party, that’s for sure. Enjoy the race!
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Proton has no interest in F1 other than to get rid of Tony Fernandes and gang in Team Lotus F1 which is the team that trully represents Malaysia. Shame to Proton.
Proton has been involved in F1 directly way before Tony wears his red cap…
really ahh? When was Proton ever ‘involved in F1 directly’ or even indirectly? Maybe you mean badminton?
Terrible performance at Sg GP. From front pack chaser fallen to middle pack tail end group… Something must be wrong, wrong investment Group Lotus.
Why bother, it’s the most boring race on the calender. Only cheaters or the person leading the race at pole will win the race.
an r3 neo?=.=’
this is bringing the lotus brand down
…. and perhaps bringing proton’s name up….Anyway, can u afford r3 neo anyways mr “what’s wrong with ur name freak?”?
woi!
dude…u think u r smarter than Lotus CEO and the rest of the business development? do u know wht is collaboration development? nway…whats up with the nickname…dont u hv better nickname to use?
dany bahar was just a salesman!
flag for racism
are you trolling, sir?
apasal dgn nama kau ni?
DAnny, why did this kind of name is allowed…
i luv his nick =P
his/her comment should be removed.. the nickname is unacceptable.
I love ur comment ‘ NICKNAME EDITED… ‘ i agree and i thumbs up!
I’m simply awesome
What the red car doing over there? Singaporean already aware that Proton car is not reliable and will not interested in R3 at all when they can afford a much better car. Just look at the clowd, mostly focus on the F1 and the Evora.
*crowd
Lotus boss so handsome.. !!! enough to be best advertisement.
Mr. Paul Tan, should take out the first comment on this article.. He is racist.. Check what name he using. He should be more open minded.
and pity for Fairuz.; only been using for PR event
why didnt they bring the concept NEO LRGP with the supercharger? been seeing the R3 boys driving it on the roads with trade plates for a while.
flag for racism
should put Satria Neo S2000 rather than this one…
look at your share price…. and pls take care of your DEBTS…. ok!
The gals…
LOL Proton, what did Lotus contribute to Renault F1 team other than sponsor them?
I didn’t see TATA that sponsor Hispania & Ferrari F1 team bring their car and do such big event.
SG F1 nite race…
i see…
bare-back girls…
white short…
buxom…
Good effort. Do wat ever u can proton. Cheers ! Satria Neo already exported to Japan.
Just 2-3 Satria Neo given/donated to Cusco = exported to Japan?
Lotus was great once (so was Alfa Romeo, remember?). Now it is just an old brand being exploited by multiple parties. The beautiful concepts shown are no nearer to a showroom near you. There has been a lot of talk, a lot of promise but clearly it’s hard to put a shine to something that’s already dull. Proton can’t afford to bankroll a car company that isn’t making money or producing great cars on a regular basis, this happy picture will come to an end and Malaysia will be poorer because of it.
Unfortunately, Proton already did.. I just hope it doesn’t end up like MV Augusta.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDP7Pty8Qnw&feature=player_embedded#!
slowest supercar!