Proton looks to drive on to Indian auto track

Malaysian car maker Proton is keenly looking to enter the growing Indian automobile market to expand its overseas operations amid global demand slump.

Proton has been trying to enter the lucrative Indian auto market for some years and thcompany was reportedly in talks with home-grown auto major Mahindra & Mahindra as well as contract manufacturer Argentum Motors.

Apart from its annual report of last fiscal, where the company had marked India as one of the major target markets, Proton's recent review states that it is studying the 12-lakh units strong Indian passenger car market.

Proton Holdings Berhad Managing Director H S Z A B Syed Mohamed Tahir said the company would intensify its export programme to diversify into various market segments and reduce dependence on the domestic market.

"On this note, we will be launching new programmes regionally, specifically in ASEAN, China, India and the Middle East... Proton will leave no stone unturned in our vision to strengthen our brand equity within the local and regional arena," Tahir said in the latest review of the company's performance.

He, however, did not specify as to when the company will enter India.

LaTEst caRs pRoduCe by PerOdua

Perodua launches ViVa Elite

Perodua today unveiled its latest ViVa variant, the Elite, and the premium 1.0l model features some upgraded exterior styling cues and a number of other enhancements to differentiate it from the rest of the ViVa family. The revisions to the exterior are a new bonnet, replete with protruding centre hood, and front grille, as well as a new complete bodykit. The front bumper features fog lamps, the rear bumper comes with reflectors, and there's of course corresponding side skirts.

Elsewhere, the external dress up kit adds on chrome door handles and new 14-inch 12-spoke alloy wheels. Also new to the version is all-round UV-cut glass. Inside, the new list is led by new seat fabric in both colour/material, as well as new matching door trim fabric, and a painted centre cluster. The car also features a revised stereo head unit that is MP3/WMA-ready.

Other items include an instrument meter cluster with chrome rings, a front passenger side underseat tray, front seat rear back pockets, retractable side mirrors with fully-illuminated side repeaters integrated into the unit (only on the EZi version). Speaking of which, the EZi also gets a rear spoiler as standard. Five colours are available, the Ivory White, Ebony Black and Glittering Silver found across the entire model range, as well as Pearl Jade and a new shade unique to the Elite called Midnight Blue.

The car comes in three versions - Elite manual (RM37,900), Elite automatic (RM40,900) and the range-topping Elite EZi auto (RM44,900; all prices on-the-road with insurance, Peninsular Malaysia). With the introduction of the Elite, the current ViVa line-up is made up of five models, the four other versions being 1.0, 850, 660EX and the 660BX entry-level unit, which was launched on Mon. The model replaces the Kancil, which has been discontinued .

The last Kancil rolls out!!!!

The Perodua Kancil rolled out for the last time at the company’s manufacturing plant in Rawang today, after 15 years of production. Vehicle number 722,223 left the line to a simple ceremony, marking the end of a journey that began on Aug 29, 1994. Final composite figures for the ultra compact is a volume of 709,000 sold domestically, with a further 4,000 in the Indonesian market as well as another 9,000 units in the UK and other market.

The car sold its first 50,000 units after its first year of production, and on the average, the Kancil sold about 4,000 units monthly, and in Oct 2002, the unit had its highest single monthly sales of 7,700 units. With the phasing out of the Kancil, Perodua is setting as its replacement the ViVA 660BX, the most basic variant of the type, as its entry-level offering. Equipped with a DVVT (Dynamic Variable Valve Timing) 660cc engine, the ViVA 660BX comes in three colours; Ivory White, Ebony Black and Glittering Silver.

This variant is only available in manual transmission, and will not have a radio, power steering, central locking or power windows. No painted bumpers as well, though the good news is that it'll be priced at RM25,300.

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