PROTON MODIFIED MODEL: January 2008

Proton BLM model car

18-01-2008: Unique demo helps boost BLM bookings
by Surin Murugiah

PETALING JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd’s bold, unprecedented move to show the public how its latest car, the base line model (BLM) or Proton Saga replacement model, is assembled has helped boost bookings to 5,500 units before its official launch today.

Proton managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said the teasers at various spots in the Klang Valley helped pique buyers’ interest and attract bookings for the BLM model since its soft launch early this year.

In a telephone interview with The Edge Financial Daily, Syed Zainal said Proton wanted to make the launch more interesting and wanted to demonstrate to the public on how the car is built, right from the drawing board to the final touches to the end product.

The move by Proton also sparked debates on the Internet, with the majority of participants approving it as a refreshing move away from the conventional display in shopping malls.

On the Persona model unveiled last year, Syed Zainal said more than 22,000 units had been registered so far.

“We are happy with the demand for the Persona, and bookings are still strong. The BLM model will complement the Persona range and not become a competition.

“The new models will hopefully drive more people into our showrooms as both are very good products, and this in turn would help improve earnings,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will launch the BLM model or Saga today.

Automotive analysts have said that the new 1.3-litre model could help turn the fortunes of the national carmaker due to its extremely competitive price range starting from RM31,000.

Meanwhile, Proton Edar Dealers’ Association (PEDA) deputy president Armin Baniaz Pahamin told The Edge Financial Daily that its members had received more than 4,000 bookings for the BLM and in excess of 25,000 bookings for the Persona.

He said PEDA members’ sales had also improved more than 300% year-on-year so far with some of its bigger members averaging 38 units of Proton cars a month.

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1	PERODUA KANCIL 850EX (M)	2004	19,500
2	PROTON GEN-2 1.6 (A)	2005	42,000
3	PROTON GEN-2 1.6 (A)	2005	42,000
4	PROTON ISWARA 1.3A/B (M)	2003	19,800
5	PROTON ISWARA 1.3A/B (M)	2005	24,000
6	PROTON ISWARA 1.3A/B (M)	2005	24,000
7	PROTON ISWARA 1.3A/B (M)	2005	24,000
8	PROTON SAVVY 1.2 (M)	2005	30,000
9	PROTON WAJA 1.6 (M)	2004	38,700
10	PROTON WAJA 1.6 SOHC (A)	2005	46,000
11	PROTON WAJA 1.6 (M)	2005	44,000
12	PROTON WIRA1.3GLI (M)	2003	27,000
13	PROTON WIRA 1.5GL (A)	1997	17,000
14	PROTON WIRA 1.GL SEDAN (M)	2005	34,000
15	PROTON WIRA 1.5GL A/B (M)	2005	35,000
16	TOYOTA ESTIMA 2.4 (A)	2000	99,000
17	TOYOTA HARRIER 3.0 (A)	1999	96,000
18	PROTON WIRA 1.6 (M)	1999	25,500
19	PROTON WIRA 1.3 SEDAN (M)	2002	24,600
20	PROTON WIRA 1.3 A/B (M)	2002	24,600

Proton to unveil new sedan

PETALING JAYA: Proton will release a new 1.3L car, codenamed BLM, today.

The new sedan, tagged at between RM30,000 and RM35,000, will be available for bookings at all Proton showrooms and its authorised dealers nationwide.

Latest model: An artist impression of the latest model to roll out of the Proton plant.

“We are confident BLM will be the ideal New Year’s gift to the nation,” said Proton Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir in a press statement yesterday.

“The model combines simple, contemporary design with dynamic driving performance, practical features, affordable price and economical ownership costs,” he said.

BLM is a second new model to be introduced in less than six months, after the Persona.

Scheduled to be officially launched and unveiled in mid January, BLM will become the sixth vehicle fully developed and built ground-up by Proton after the Waja, Gen.2, Savvy, Satria Neo and Persona.

The BLM will be available in seven colours – Zircon Green, Metallic Black, Solid White, Mountain Blue, Genetic Silver, Chilli Red and Granite Grey.

“We are very excited.

“This will mark a very momentous occasion for Proton,” Syed Zainal Abidin said.