We had a quick chat with Tun Mahathir earlier today after he previewed the company’s upcoming 2016 Perdana. The Proton chairman revealed that the local carmaker’s future cars will stick to existing model names, which is certainly good news indeed.
“As for new models, we will no longer change our names. We will stick to the same familiar names, but with upgraded technologies and looks. So in the future, you will see new versions of the Saga, Persona and Perdana, and maybe one or two more,” said the former prime minister.
Proton CEO Datuk Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah, meanwhile, added that the new 2016 Proton Perdana will be launched in the first quarter of next year. New versions of the Persona and Saga will follow later on in 2016, in that order.
Asked to comment on the new Perdana’s looks, Tun Mahathir said that, “we have shown it to some people, our dealers and vendors. Their first reaction was ‘wow’. It’s different from the old models. It looks like a completely new car, not just a rebranding exercise.
“Previously, we used to take a foreign car and restyled the front logo, and maybe a bit of the rear. This new Perdana is different. The entire car is new,” he concluded.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
The comments mainly express frustration and skepticism about Proton's new model naming strategies, with many favoring the retention of traditional names like Saga, Persona, and Wira for brand recognition. There is criticism of recent model names like Preve, Suprima, and Iriz, and some suggest reviving older models. Overall, there is a mix of skepticism, nostalgia, and criticism regarding Proton's branding decisions, with some supportive comments about the models' qualities.