Proton: No serious issues with new car

EXTRA CAUTIOUS: Launch of model codenamed P3-21A delayed to end of the month


PROTON Holdings Bhd, the national carmaker, said that there are "no serious technical issues" with its soon-to-be-launched new model - codenamed P3-21A.

However, it said that the launch date would be "slightly delayed by few weeks". The car is now expected to be launched by the end of this month.

"We are not facing any serious technical issues. We are just being extra cautious, more than ever, to make sure that the car is produced at the right quality. I think Malaysians will appreciate that.

"After all, this P3-21A is a very special car. It's a car that is made not only to meet the needs of the Malaysian market, but also the global market," said Proton group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir at a media briefing here yesterday.

He added that the delay was also partly because the company is trying to find the "right date" so that key people and stakeholders like Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Proton adviser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other major stakeholders are able to attend.

Business Times reported yesterday that the initial launch date for the new car was believed to be March 17.

Syed Zainal Abidin was speaking to the media during a briefing on its upcoming major event, POWER OF 1.

The five-day event, which will be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, is to commemorate its technology advancements, engineering achievements, innovation and motor sports success.

To be held from March 14 to 18, the POWER OF 1 is Proton's largest outdoor showcase ever organised to date. The event is spread over an area of 35,000 sq m at the stadium's Car Park A, B and C which has been transformed to accommodate a technology exhibition, sales and promotion area, as well as a mini circuit, inviting visitors to experience the many different facets of Proton, its progress and development over the last 27 years.

As an added excitement, bookings for the Proton's highly anticipated new model, codenamed P3-21A will open from March 14 onwards nationwide, and visitors can catch a glimpse of the car at the POWER OF 1 event.

"Starting March 14, you can go to any of our dealers nationwide and book the P3-21A. Reference price and some of the car's specifications will be revealed then.

"Of course, we will only announce the official retail price, the full specs and the name of the car on the actual launch day," he said.

Also present at the media briefing was John D. Chacko, director, group marketing, branding and motorsports.

Proton eased by one sen to RM5.41 in the stock market yesterday. Its shares have increased by 12.2 per cent so far this year compared with the benchmark index's 3.15 per cent gain.

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