Sawadee krub from the 2014 Thailand International Motor Expo – we’re here covering it live. Funnily enough, we kick things off with something Malaysian – this Citrus Green Proton Iriz is on display, with a ‘COMING SOON’ sticker on its side windows.
This pretty much confirms the B-segment hatch for the Thai market, replacing (spiritually at least) the Proton Savvy, which business daily The Nation picked as one of its top 10 cars of 2008, citing its affordability.
Will the Proton Iriz be able to take over the mantle, and be competitively priced in an already hugely-competitive market amongst locally-assembled Eco Cars?
Proton is distributed by Phranakorn Auto Sales in the Kingdom. The most recent Thai launch was the Suprima S in November last year – the C-segment hatch is priced at 805,000 baht (RM82,800).
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AI-generated Summary ✨
The comments regarding the Proton Iriz preview at the Thai Motor Expo reflect a mix of excitement and skepticism. Many Malaysians express pride in Proton's efforts, hoping the Iriz will succeed domestically and in Thailand, with some praising its design and features. However, a significant portion criticizes Proton's quality, safety, and value—comparing it unfavorably to Japanese, Korean, and even Chinese brands, and highlighting past issues like poor build quality and safety concerns. There are also political and economic debates, with some commenters discussing government support, local industry, and national pride while others criticize Proton’s competitiveness and question its pricing and specifications. Overall, the sentiment is a blend of national pride, cautious optimism, and critical skepticism about Proton's ability to meet consumer expectations and succeed internationally.