Proton group MD sees higher sales next yr

PETALING JAYA (Dec 3): PROTON HOLDINGS BHD [] is confident of achieving better sales volume next year as the car maker has put several initiatives in place to boost sales, says group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

He said it has been Proton's tradition lately to introduce a new car variant or model annually, and next year, would be no exception.

"We are preparing to launch a new car in 2012 and one of the important activities for Proton next year would be to push hard on exports.

"Domestically, the sales volume is growing, year-on-year, but, for next year, it would be dependent upon prevailing market conditions then," he told
Bernama at Proton's annual Family Day here on Saturday.

Syed Zainal said next year was expected to be a challenging year economically, but for the automotive industry, the introduction of new varient
models would help improve Proton's overall performance.

For the first six months, Proton Holdings' car sales increased to 74,519 units versus 65,918 units sold in the same period in 2010.

Syed Zainal said like any other segment of the economy, the automotive market was and would remain very competitive.

"Thus, we have to double our efforts and this family day is one way to gather our workforce, raise their spirits, morale and encourage them to steer
Proton to greater heights and success," he said. - Bernama