Aware of the negative perception Proton has in its home country, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad called on all Malaysians to test drive the brand’s latest models before critically judging them. The news comes from his latest blog post, following the successful firing of Proton’s new engine in the UK.
“Proton is aware of the negative perception of its cars in the Malaysian market. This is especially among owners of imported cars. Nothing can persuade them to buy Proton cars. Certainly, pride in a Malaysian-made car is not with them,” explained Mahathir.
The Proton chairman said that regardless of the manufacturer’s previous models, its latest ones are “not like the cars produced before,” offering competitive features typically found in higher-priced models.
“They are much improved and often have more features than other cars in the same category. In fact, the low-priced Protons have features normally found in higher-priced cars. We are the only developing country in the world that can do all of this. I think our workers and engineers deserve to be tested if not supported,” he said.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and so it is with Proton’s new cars. You need to drive them to know their capabilities. I drive the Iriz and the Suprima S, and believe me, I enjoy driving them,” said Mahathir. He takes particular pride in his Iriz’s electric power steering and responsive acceleration.
“I think Proton cars deserve a test drive by Malaysians. Tell us about your experience. Criticise these cars. We want feedback so we can further improve them,” he concluded.
So, do you own a new Proton? An Iriz or a Suprima? Feel free to share your experiences and criticisms of the latest Proton models in the comments below.
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express mixed sentiments about Proton cars, with some praising recent improvements in handling, build quality, and safety features, often citing personal test drive experiences. Many highlight issues such as poor after-sales service, reliability problems, and quality control deficiencies, especially with older models and specific components like engines and gearboxes. Critics argue that Proton's high prices are unjustified given these quality concerns and compare its performance unfavorably against other brands, both local and international. There are concerns about Proton's vendor supply chain, pricing strategies, and the effectiveness of government protection which some say hampers improvement. Despite some support, many commenters feel Proton still has a long way to go before regaining public trust and achieving true competitiveness globally.