Proton to prove its mettle with PREVE

by **hlk** Thu 05 Apr 2012, 08:53

Proton Holdings Bhd’s all-new sedan and maiden global car is called
PREVE (pronounced Prae-Vae) and costs RM540 million to develop.

Proton managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir revealed the car’s name and specifications at a
media briefing here yesterday.

This came after months of speculation and guessing on the new model that could bring Proton to the next level in terms of product and technology development.

Previously codenamed P3-21A, the PREVE is expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on April 16.
“With the PREVE, customers are given an insight into the future of Proton products and services, our design language and the global standards and quality that we should be judged on from here on,” Syed Zainal said.

PREVE, which means prove or to prove, reflects Proton’s ambition of going global in its next chapter of operation, he noted.

“We want to be a global carmaker with a global appearance and global thinking. Obviously, we need a name that signifies where the company is today and where we want to go globally.

“So, we have come up with PREVE, which also showcases the company after 27 years in the automotive industry.” Syed Zainal said the car proved that Proton can produce a product that meets stringent global standards.

The PREVE has a price tag of RM62,000 for an entry level unit with manual transmission, and RM75,000 for the high line version
with automatic transmission. In between, there is a medium line version that may be sold for less than RM70,000.

Syed Zainal is optimistic of monthly sales of 4,000 to 4,500 units of the PREVE. “The feedback we received so far has been
kind and generous but I don’t want to expect too much,” he remarked.

Proton plans to export the PREVE to Asean countries three months after its local debut, before shipping it to Australia, the Middle East and China, among others.

Proton has put importance on styling of the car to attract a global audience, while previous models were more for the domestic
landscape, Syed Zainal said.

It also focuses on the car’s speed, fuel consumption and safety features, including body strength.

R