Proton gearing up to achieve NAP aspirations

by **Cals** Fri 24 Jan 2014, 19:28

Business & Markets 2014

Written by Bernama

Friday, 24 January 2014 19:13

JURU (Jan 24): National car maker, Proton Holdings Bhd, is shifting into higher gear to achieve the aspirations of the just-announced National Automotive Policy (NAP).

Deputy Chief Executive Officer Datuk Lukman Ibrahim said the revised NAP was well-received, as it not only promoted local manufacturers, but also aimed to make Malaysia the hub for energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs).

"Proton should be gearing up preparations and plans to achieve the NAP aspiration, and we are on the right track," he told reporters after launching the Satria Neo Standard 4AT and Inspira Super Premium variants, in conjunction with Proton's sales carnival.

The government recently announced a revised NAP, by removing certain conditions for manufacturing licences, in a bid to turn the country into a regional hub for EEV production.

On the new Proton variants, Lukman said the cars were targetted at young professionals, aged between 25 and 35 years old.

He said Proton was extending the Satria Neo Standard 4AT model to a wider market segment, as it was affordable and value for money.
"The Satria is such an iconic model in the Malaysian automotive scene, from the earliest model launched in 1994 to the Neo R3 model which was launched in 2008, it has always been a favorite among Malaysians," he said.

The Proton Satria Neo Standard 4AT is an improved version of the Satria Neo Standard MT model, which retailed for RM54,513.50 (solid colour) and RM54,963.50 for metallic.

Meanwhile, the Inspira Super Premium, akin to the Suprima S Super Premium, was priced at RM102,000, to cater for customers who gave priority to car specifications.

Lukman said, since the launch of Inspira in 2010, the model has received widespread interest across a wide section of car buyers, and the new variant offered a sportier edge.

The Proton sales carnival offered discounts of up to RM5,388 and special finance packages, including a unique scheme called, "Take Now Pay Later".