Next year, Proton is introducing a range of new models based on those of its new parent company Geely, and the national carmaker has recently urged its dealers and service centre operators to upgrade their facilities in preparation of this influx of new cars. To show them a possible way forward, the company invited its top dealers to China to study the operations of a Geely dealership in Shanghai.
The trip involved 28 of Proton’s top sales and service centre owners, who were impressed with the success of Geely in its home country. Director of the LHM One Stop 4S outlet in Nilai, Ryan Lai, said that he was in awe with the level of customer service provided.
“The service [centre] has a waiting lounge that does not look out of place in a five-star hotel! Usually, the atmosphere can only be experienced by European premium car owners but Geely is offering it to their customers,” he said.
They were also given the opportunity to drive the Geely Boyue, which will be the basis of Proton’s first proper SUV that will be introduced at the end of next year. “I was sceptical at first but from the moment I sat inside the Boyue, I knew this is the right vehicle for Proton’s new image,” Lai said.
“It has the right look and size and the interior quality really got me excited. The dashboard, door trim, leather seat and the equipment in the Boyue reminded me of my brother’s premium German SUV back in Malaysia. It was really that good,” he said, adding that the turbo engine and automatic gearbox was “very smooth.”
Susan Leong from Hoi Keen Service in Kuantan said, “It has a luxurious interior and felt very premium for its segment.” Meanwhile, Datuk Shamshudin, who owns a 4S centre on Jalan Meru in Pantai Bahru, expressed his confidence in Proton and Geely, saying, “The synergy is there and the Boyue will definitely make a big impact in Malaysia.”
The operators were also taken to the Geely Research Institute in Hangzhou Bay, to check out Geely’s current technology and future designs. During their time there, Shamsudin, Lai and Leong announced that their companies would be investing millions into expanding their Proton outlets.
“This trip has really opened up our eyes to what Proton will achieve in the near future,” said Lai. “We will be investing in Proton brand because we have seen what the future is for Proton. It is bright.”
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So, which dealer willing to upgrade 5 star status without new models being hinted ?
“Transfer of tech & skills” since 1985.
Proton oh Proton. Please don’t bank on your Boyue. Even your CEO has announced, 75% of Proton’s total sales are Saga and Persona. You can assume, the remaining 25, a big proportion of that will be Government Perdanas.
Bulk Malaysians will never spend more than RM60k on a Proton.
Preve also failed cause it was over RM70k.
And now, Proton thinks Malaysians will buy RM99k Boyue?
Pls do market reasearch first before training all these guys to make posh showroom
Got so many preve on road, more than older myvi, how come fail?
Maybe U can explain better why there are more people buying City, Jazz or Vios compare to a Preve even when these smaller car cost more than RM60k ??!
Preve, Suprima sales failed badly because people rather buy Honda City/Honda Jazz.
As for Perdana, those who can afford original Accord or Camry simply don’t bother even it is RM30-40K cheaper. Now the unsold units being lelong at RM85K. Same goes to Exora basic manual being lelong for RM30K.
Simply put, the rakyat is too smart not to be fooled anymore. Anything below RM60K better buy Perodua. Anything above RM60K go for Toyota, Honda. That’s how the market sealed off itself from Proton.
So good luck to Geely. It took DRB 6 years trying but failed too. Adios!
Are you blind ? Many preve on road!
Travel so far to learn best sales example when here they can visit & learn how Perodua or Honda done it.
Its because Asian mentality that Japanese cars is bullet proof
Another gimmick from proton. Talk only. Action rubbish. Result KO.
Proton is an older company. Geely only started in 1997. So, Proton had a head start from 1985. 12 years head start.
My question is
1) Why does Geely have so much of money and is cash rich?
2) Why is Proton learning from a younger company?
Someone 12 years older should be having more knowledge than another 12 years younger
Same goes as the original Nokia, lose to Korean and certain US companies due to their inability to embrace the change and be innovative.
Nokia went down because they miscalculate smartphone influence. Proton went down and will likely stay down because of laziness, sleeping culture, syok sendiri, customers blaming and lack of business acumen.
By your logic nobody should learn from tesla
One sentence: sales volume in own country.
For a market as big and competitive as China, I think Boyue has done great enough to establish themselves as a reliable car maker.
Just forget the age difference. We’re not talking about human, but a company. Human logic cannot be applied to the market. Call me an optimist but I feel that this would be the game changer for Proton. Let’s hope for the best for our national car maker.
Go to any Chinese manufacturing factory. Most of their lobbies & waiting areas are like 5 stars hotel. In China, face is more important.
The problem is, proton did not bring the low performing dealers. actually those are the people that need new motivation in order to sell more cars and to provide better services to the customers. The high performing dealers already knew what they are doing and how to do it.
In China there are likely to be more millionaires than the working population or even the whole population in Malaysia. So big or splashy SC in China is a must and will pay off within few years. I hope that Proton would not be rash in putting the horse before the cart. A large service centre easily be costing around RM30million like the new Kah Honda SC in Johor. Yearly loan repayment excluding upkeep easily RM2 million a year. So profit from 1000 sales to break even. Do however make small upgrade to current Proton SC so they are good enough for next 5 years. Meantime bring up capabilities in services & repairs. Keep price of spares as low as possible. Do not follow SC of other car makers in short changing customers like changing lube oil, spark plug, cabin filters etc etc too early. If Geely cars to be sold in USA will be having software to pop up service reminder for engine oil change we also should be getting the same here in Malaysia. Example: If engine oil & filter can last 9 months why change it after only 6 months. Ex wire owner here. Had it for 15 years.
That’s good news and hopefully these Proton dealers start getting down to business with immediate effect. Now, where are the TGDi engines that Proton promised to deliver at end of this year??
Proton actually don’t have to learn from China, just learn from Perodua will do.
Learn rebadging, changing bumpers from P2
Lol i heard the tgdi project tingy is on hold
Set a policy to electrify or at least hybrid all models by 2025 onwards
When you are older than the Company that you are going to learn from (ie. visit Geely showroom to learn/get ideas ???!!! ). Shows that you “P1” , really is a LOSER!!!!!
You just admitted you learn to use hp from kids, lol
Yes better visit Perodua or Honda here learn how they get big sales instead.
If wanna learn how to successfully sell lotsa cheap products, isnt china the better sifu to learn from? (exclude Honda of cuz)
“Next year, Proton is introducing a range of new models based on those of its new parent company Geely, and the national carmaker…” What are those new models to be launched next year other than Boyue? Exciting indeed.
“national carmaker has recently urged its dealers and service centre operators to upgrade their facilities in preparation of this influx of new cars” …. You’re right… I really wonder what other new cars they are talking about…
5 star waiting lounge?
Just spend the money to train ur technicians and make sure they really pay attention on their work n complete the job in the reasonable time.
We r not going to enjoy 12 hrs waiting in the “hotel lounge”.
Normal workshops can complete the job in an hour, why u need two?
The problem with proton is not about the car but lies in the TIDAK APA attitude of it service centres and spare parts centres.
Some so call technicians are so young and not experience at all. When the car got a problems , they could not provide you a proper solutions and answer to it. They tend to merry go round . Moreover the experience ones keeps telling the customers we are checking and checking without any solutions and customers had to wait the whole days as to get a small /minor problems fixed up.
No point having a lavish waiting lounge when the real ingredients is in getting good, timely , efficient , quality servicing or repair is not there with the simple TIDAK APA attitude — why work so hard and so fast when we are paid peanut mentality.
Mati proton bukan mati kita sebab kita dapat gaji kecil sahaja — tak ada incentives pun — biarlah attitude.
Furthermore, attendance of technicians/workers selalu sakit and on leave.
So how can proton progress with a bunch of unpatriotic technicians or workers ????
If u have 99k in your hand, then better to buy a japanese SUV rather than this Geely..
Last time people compare proton between European, Japanese, Korean, other Malaysian made, and lastly China car.
Still can read P1 on BMW article, problem?
Learn from someone who is better than us is no problem regardless to specific issues as long as beneficial to us. The goal have to achieve market segment in China is more important. With new features and improvements than can translate development towards profitable making company.
Come on Malaysian
It is so Obvious since Malaysia day one… Malaysian wil buy imported branded when they are financially strong
So now everyone said Malaysian buy imported car now days
That obviously means Malaysian now are financially strong
Nothing related to any national car quality, they just don’t even support Malaysia!
Come on.. Be factual la Malaysian, don’t always bullshit