The 2013 edition of the triennial Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show next month will see representation from a number of automotive brands, but Proton won’t be one of them. It’s confirmed that the national carmaker will be not be taking part in KLIMS13.
This was revealed at the KLIMS13 exhibitors round table discussion last week, where MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad disclosed that the automaker had decided to opt out of the show. No official reasons were given, but it seems that some of it had to do with the allocated space, or lack of it.
The inability to confirm participation early on saw most of the show space being taken up, and in the end that which was left may not have been possibly up to the company’s expectations – the conjecture goes on.
Whatever the case may be, it’s a bit of a shame, really, given that it’s the national carmaker – in 2010, the company certainly made a bang at the previous KLIMS with five Pahlawan series concepts, the Tuah, Jebat, Lekir, Lekiu and Kasturi, all named after the famous Malaccan warriors. Thus, it’s left to Perodua to fly the flag at the show.
Still, despite it not being present at KLIMS13, the automaker looks to be keeping busy – there’s of course the Global Small Car (GSC), targeted to arrive sometime in the first quarter of next year, as well as ongoing work with the Perdana Replacement Model.
Elsewhere, there’s also the slated introduction of the Suprima S to export markets before the year is out, involving the same countries where the Preve is found – Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Australia. The car is also heading to the UK, but word is that it’ll be early next year.
Some news on the Proton Saga SV, which was launched in June. The entry-level car has really taken off – at present, the company has registered more than 30,000 bookings for the vehicle.
Two weeks after its launch, the tally stood at 6,000 bookings, and at that point the automaker said it could deliver at least 3,000 units a month to buyers. It also said it could up production of the Saga SV; looks like it’ll have to, with these numbers. Oh, seeing as this one has done very well, another SV variant is reportedly on the way, and pretty soon. What will it be?
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments reveal frustration and disappointment over Proton's absence from KLIMS13, with many perceiving it as a lack of innovation, poor planning, and low confidence in their products. There is skepticism about Proton's quality, reliability, and safety standards, despite claims of improvements like the 5-star ANCAP rating. Several comments criticize Proton for not showcasing new models or technology, viewing this as a missed opportunity to boost national pride and competitiveness. Some suggest Proton's decision not to participate is due to financial constraints or lack of space, but most agree it reflects poorly on their corporate strategy. Overall, sentiments range from unserious cynicism to constructive critique, highlighting doubts about Proton's future prospects and a call for more transparency and innovation.