VIDEO: Chatting with Proton designer Azlan Othman

It’s an interesting time for Proton, as the national carmaker experiences its biggest change yet through its partnership with Geely. With the X70 SUV grabbing the headlines and with many more Geely-based models coming soon, the company is at a crossroads as it still needs to sell its indigenously-designed products.

We can start to see its strategy in updating the latter as it gears up for the launch of the facelifted Iriz and Persona, which are more closely aligned to the design seen on the X70. We had quite a few questions, and luckily Proton’s chief designer Azlan Othman was on hand to answer them and give us some clues regarding its future design direction.

Why do the Iriz and Persona continue to have significantly different front end designs? How much local input will the locally-assembled X70 have? And how much of a role will Proton Design have in the greater Geely group? Watch the interview above to find out the answers.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Sapot P1.
    P1 is the Avengers, while P2 is Thanos. Sapoting the good guys team.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 11
    • X70 Buyer on Apr 19, 2019 at 11:49 pm

      Yes! Go Avengers! Go Proton! Defeat the evil!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 10
      • azlano on Apr 20, 2019 at 10:43 am

        All the best. Thanks PT

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
        • Geli betul on Apr 21, 2019 at 9:07 pm

          Ahhh finally we meet the important designer… The one who decides where to fix the emblem.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
          • Vader on Apr 22, 2019 at 10:00 am

            Azlan been worked very close with GEELY Design, David Wilkinson and Peter Horbury. Keep it up guys!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • lancau u on Apr 20, 2019 at 11:38 am

      P2 is thanos ??? i belib the actual evil is geely , soon there will be no more pure potong design car , what they in charge is the grill design the front grill only and others will just use geely exist product like the front and back bumper , GKUI system , even the speedomoeter is from geely existing cars parts

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 33
  • Wowzers! Alredi P1 Design team r deep in collaborating with the future designs of Geely group! And the design boss has said it, Geely is being more open than any P1 partners b4. Kudos to Geely & P1!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 2
    • Yaa, Mitsubishi cheat Proton and never transfer his technology, Citroen gv a rubbish to Proton to test local market, Renault gv a ugly product to Proton against Perodua, Honda not allowed Proton to redesign his dinosaur interior, Suzuki only ask Proton to clear his shits and left. Now only Geely willing to lend a hand and pull out the submariner (Proton).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 4
      • Proton learned Campro engine and grill design.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
        • Celup King on Apr 21, 2019 at 8:43 pm

          Better that Perodua, only learn where to stick their badges on Daihatsu cars.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
          • Amran on Apr 22, 2019 at 12:58 pm

            Which daihatsu model perodua rebadge for Bezza and New Myvi?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
          • Celup King on Apr 22, 2019 at 1:55 pm

            Toyota Etios & Daihatsu Boon

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • yawnz on Apr 20, 2019 at 5:45 pm

      Hire Peter Schreyer now. Fullstop

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
      • Lolwhut? on Apr 21, 2019 at 9:45 pm

        Peter Schreyer xeroxed his design from Audit onto Hyundai. When he moved on from that, his 2020 Sonata and 2019 Elantra are an abject failure in car designs. His Audi design is proving to be a one hit wonder for him.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • FrankC on Apr 19, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    Keep up the good work Sir Azlan!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 7
  • Proton should hire a world class designers to design something outstanding like Perodua did

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 55
    • MyNewToy on Apr 19, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      No need, the company has been sold to Geely and now is a Chinese company. Geely has a world-class mindset and has good pools of talent worldwide. That way they growing faster even newbie in the automotive world. Very amazed at how they are changing the Lotos UK.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 6
    • English Teacher on Apr 19, 2019 at 9:38 pm

      Oh really? Define “something outstanding” that Perodua did.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 3
    • Tun F on Apr 19, 2019 at 10:25 pm

      Perodua??? You what……!!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
    • Vader on Apr 20, 2019 at 12:09 am

      The same guy that told us 2020 Sonata is a world class design. Everyone else thinks you either have poor taste or no taste at all.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 2
      • Singaporean on Apr 20, 2019 at 9:29 am

        It IS a nice design though. Many people around the world love the design. So no, not everyone thinks the R j guy has poor taste. Way to go by insulting others.

        Malaysian mentality lolz

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 10
        • Rakyat Malaysia on Apr 20, 2019 at 4:19 pm

          Which ‘many people around the world’ are you referring to? If the design was good, it would have been a hot seller, it would have won COTY awards everywhere. Instead, Sonata is outsold by a mile in any of the countries it has presence, it never won COTY even in its own backyard.

          So just because you share the same poor taste as Rj you take offense but why blame the world when they are calling a spade is a spade, in this case the Sonata is truly an ugly car?

          It is not Malaysian mentality but the mentality of the person in your mirror. Do reflect on that.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
          • Indonesia with biggest SEA population, own the best car designers in the region.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
          • Lolwhut? on Apr 21, 2019 at 9:42 pm

            Lolwhut? Indonesia? Indonesia doesn’t even have a car they can call their own.

            How do they have any car designers much less the best car designers in the region? Are you drunk or something?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
        • Vader on Apr 20, 2019 at 10:15 pm

          I would have loved to retort on what you said but Rakyat Malaysia has summed up pretty well. I have nothing more to add.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
          • Avenger on Apr 22, 2019 at 12:27 am

            Mazda so success with Kodo design. Proton must try out Kodok design.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Mr Proton on Apr 19, 2019 at 9:32 pm

    dont u think national car are getting oddful and uglier? saga, bezza…come on mr azlan, pls make malaysian and your family proud! if not, step aside

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 7
    • MyNewToy on Apr 20, 2019 at 8:07 am

      Shows the automotive industry in Malaysia is a lack of competent talent or a systemic disaster. It is nearly 40 years we never produce talent one. Concept car present is far behind university student and some time Mat Rempit and Ahbeng are better.
      Oops except Theophilus Chin but unfortunately, nobody interested.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
    • JOACHIM on Apr 20, 2019 at 9:19 am

      Tell that to the ugly monsters from Toyota and the weird aliens from Hyundai & KIA. It’s a global thing to come out with the worst looking cars today.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 3
    • You cannot even Bezza P2 (differentiate) from a Proton Saga? (Pun intended) And you want to criticize a car designer? Lol.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • anonymous on Apr 19, 2019 at 11:00 pm

    Is him converted or ori? Don’t think he is ori.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 15
  • They show us muka azlano. Strong contender for “worst article of the year”.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 16
    • sampan300kmh on Apr 20, 2019 at 7:06 am

      Show us the face who designed much much more ugly catfish inspired cars

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
      • Dupe King on Apr 20, 2019 at 9:51 am

        TBH, the Iriz looks much nicer than the Toyota Yaris. Since the Yaris is a global car, why the design looks horrendous. I hope PT will show us muka Yaris and Vios designer and interview him.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 34
    • Worst article for you because it concerns Proton. If the article about Perodua or Toyota, you would be jumping and clapping around like monkey. You think your opinion matters?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2
    • Darren on Apr 20, 2019 at 9:30 am

      Careful la bro, see all the Baoteng fanboys triggered already LOL

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Silthice on Apr 20, 2019 at 1:38 am

    Light projects on light cars… Developing A segment hatchback and Sedan which can be extensively used for B segment & compact MPV. That’s why they need Proton as this is Proton breads and butter all the way….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • pelir besar on Apr 20, 2019 at 3:02 am

    So this is the person responsible for all the ugly proton cars designs. Lucky x70 copycat geely boyue. Apa tunggu lagi, just fire this guy la. Proton don’t need him anymore. Better use geely designers ideas.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
    • Copy Paste on Apr 20, 2019 at 9:20 am

      Copy paste: “Alredi P1 Design team r deep in collaborating with the future designs of Geely group! And the design boss has said it, Geely is being more open than any P1 partners b4.”

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • abang on Apr 20, 2019 at 9:26 am

    the malay looks like chinese.
    and the chinese looks like Malay.
    hehe.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
    • BOYRACER on Apr 21, 2019 at 11:50 am

      black & white.
      they all Malaysians bah

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • Azlan on Apr 22, 2019 at 3:24 pm

      Unique of Malaysia. The malay look like indian, and the indian looks like malay. But hard to find chinese looks like indian, and the indian looks like chinese..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Tun F on Apr 20, 2019 at 9:55 am

    Sorry to say… Proton has to get rid of azlan and hire someone more creative and caliber… Come on li chun rong

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Gibran Ilram on Apr 20, 2019 at 10:48 am

    I really hope you weren’t responsible for the ugly as hell Proton Perdana. The back end is just so so bad. The designer should be hanged and the approving authorities shot by firing squad. Why are Proton bumpers so over designed?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • ccy7218 on Apr 20, 2019 at 11:58 am

    Seems azlan is working very hard these days… 996 culture as now under Geely… I understand that! Keep it up!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Colorlite on Apr 20, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    If it is PnC, it is PnC. Why asked twice, idiot?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Because of this Azlan Othman, Proton car fail

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 5
    • Sack Designer on Apr 20, 2019 at 6:31 pm

      Agreed 100 percent!! Geely must kick him out! Sick and tired of the ugly failed sohai car designs!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
    • Amran on Apr 23, 2019 at 1:39 pm

      Design ok. Campro and punch cvt is failed.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • ploton on Apr 20, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    Ploton … your car design sucks! Please get another chief designer.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 5
  • Outalingam Crap on Apr 20, 2019 at 7:51 pm

    Want something different and practical? Look at the design history of Skoda (Czech Republic) and Seat (Spain) and how able were they to coin their “own version” of the corresponding car models (Skoda and Seat based on VW shall have substantial design differences in spite of similar engine use, take for instance Skoda Superb vs VW Passat or Arteon)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Derick on Apr 21, 2019 at 11:15 am

    >30 years and littered with more failures than successes. Go figure.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • Newme on Apr 21, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    With post mitsu design from proton, we should have good idea how good azlan and his engineers are. Incompetent, clurless and syok sendiri.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • about time for proton to look for new chief designer.. this guy been leading for too long and proton overall design been poor. I always think proton refinement one of the worst out there. the overall line and curve also bad. its like front design by A, back design by B, side design by C and they simply match them altogehter

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Daddykasi on Apr 22, 2019 at 12:56 pm

    For proton iriz&persona, please chnage old campro vvt and lousy punch cvt..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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