Proton aims to overtake Perodua

Proton aims to overtake Perodua and regain its position as the country's top-selling carmaker this year, driven by growing
customer confidence, network improvement, product and pricing strategies, says group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

"Overall, we target to sell between seven and eight per cent higher than last year, but we are working to achieve at least 10 per cent compared to nine per cent in 2010.

"Domestic sales have been growing every year, that's a good sign. We will outgrow the industry. We improve, everybody will also improve," he told reporters after welcoming the Lotus Renault GP Team and the media for a tour of the Proton main manufacturing plant here today.

Proton, the national car maker, lost its market share to Perodua in 2006 as Malaysia's top-selling carmaker. It held the top sales spot since 1985.

Last year, Proton sold 157,274 cars, while Perodua recorded an all-time record sales of 188,641 units.


According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), Proton and Perodua sold 27,365 and 27,713 cars, respectively, in January and February this year.

Zainal Abidin said Proton would stress on quality and embark on aggressive marketing campaigns to promote existing models and introduce more variations to boost sales.

He said Proton would introduce new turbo engine for Exora and new Saga and Inspira editions this year as well as come up with new models next year as part of its long-term plan.

"We'll be working with Proton Edar Dealers' Association Malaysia and financial institutions. If the network and salesmen have confidence in the brand, customers will be there," he added. -- Bernama