It’s tapping rising demand for dual-fuel cars in Britain
NORFOLK (England): Proton Cars UK Ltd (Proton UK) is banking on its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-powered cars to help drive sales in Britain, according to its managing director Brian Collier.
He spoke of an emerging niche market for the Proton Gen-2 1.6 litre ecoLogic which runs on either LPG or petrol in the wake of rising fuel prices.
Collier said there had been an increasing demand for the dual-fuel model which costs the same as the petrol version but requires half the price to run and is kinder to the environment.
Proton Cars UK MD Brian Collier showing the LPG conversion fitting neatly into the original design after briefing for Malaysian journalists at the Park Farm Country Hotel & Leisure at Hethersett, Norwich.
“Next year is going to be all about LPG cars and repeat customers,” he told Malaysian journalists at a briefing at the Park Farm Country Hotel & Leisure in Hethersett, Norwich, on Wednesday.
The briefing was organised by Proton Holdings Bhd in conjunction with the royal visit to the Lotus plant headquarters by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah today.
A subsidiary of Proton Holdings which acquired Lotus in 1996, Proton UK has sold about 150,000 vehicles in Britain since 1989.
Last year, about 1,500 units were sold through the company’s 80 dealers across Britain but Proton UK has revised its target to 1,000 this year due to the global economic slowdown.
Collier said they sold 150 LPG vehicles last year and expected to hit 200 this year, adding that the Humberside police force has a fleet of 100 such units.
He said these vehicles were sought after by corporate clients including companies with small fleets and taxi operators that now accounted for about half their total sales.
“Britons are very cost-conscious, especially during the economic downturn,” he said, citing petrol price of around £1.10 a litre against 50 to 55 pence for a litre of LPG.
Proton UK, he added, was the only manufacturer in Britain which did not charge extra for the LPG conversion, which usually costs about £2,000.
Collier also singled out the Savvy as Britain’s best-selling Proton car among its models including the Satria, Gen-2 ecoLogic and Gen-2 Persona.
He said Britons loved small economic cars such as the Savvy for fuel economy and its low emission which the annual car tax was based upon.
The Savvy naturally fits into this A and B segments which dominate the British market, he said, adding about 400 Savvy were sold this year alone.
Savvy is priced just under £8,000 but with a £2,000 discount under Britain’s car scrappage scheme, it costs just below £6,000, according to Collier. In fact, some brand new cars are selling for £5,000 or less, an indication of the tough market, with car manufacturers across Europe badly hit, he said.
British vehicle sales had plunged from 2.4 million units two years ago to about 1.7 million this year while Spain was down by nearly 40%.
Collier sees a difficult year ahead, especially with the proposed value-added tax increase and Britain’s plan to double the road tax for new cars next year.
“We need to look at different ways to sell cars, particularly in Britain where almost 50 manufacturers in totally open market conditions are struggling for a market share,” he said.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Proton, DRB-Hicom stocks advance
Proton Holdings Bhd, Malaysia’s national carmaker, rose the most in more than three weeks in Kuala Lumpur trading after a newspaper reported rival company DRB-Hicom Bhd submitted a bid to buy a stake in the company.
Proton rose as much as 5 per cent to RM4.20 and changed hands at RM4.12 at 11:55 am. DRB, controlled by Malaysian billionaire Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, also rose to a three-week high. Malaysian sovereign-wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd owns 42.7 per cent of Proton.
DRB-Hicom made a bid to purchase 32 per cent of the state- controlled carmaker, the daily reported October 10, citing a person familiar with the situation it didn’t identify. Proton, set up more than two decades ago as an emblem of industrialisation, had been in discussions with carmakers including Volkswagen AG for an alliance.
“We do not rule out potential local partners taking up strategic stakes in Proton,” Hafriz Hezry, an analyst at local brokerage AmResearch Sdn Bhd, wrote in a report today. Still, “we do not expect this to materialise any time soon.”
The automaker’s chairman Mohd Nadzmi Bin Mohd Salleh was unavailable for comment today. DRB-Hicom declined to comment. Khazanah senior vice president Mohd Asuki Bin Abas didn’t answer phone calls.
Write-Offs
A deal may be delayed “in view of huge investment write-offs faced by Khazanah should it relinquish its stake at current price levels,” analyst Hafriz wrote in his report. An agreement will come only after Proton concludes talks with a global automotive partner, wrote Hafriz, who rates Proton a “buy.”
Proton shares have more than doubled this year after slumping in each of the past two years.
DRB-Hicom, a car assembler and parts supplier to Proton, may face rival bids, including from Naza Group, the newspaper said. Proton may favor a management buyout, the report said, citing Mohd Nadzi.
The report comes after Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said on June 30 that government-linked investment companies should divest their holdings in industries that are “best taken by entrepreneurs.”
Proton has resumed talks with Germany’s Volkswagen, the paper reported on September 11. Malaysia’s government in 2007 ended alliance talks with Volkswagen and General Motors Co.
Protons, driven by taxi drivers across Malaysia, are among the cheapest cars on offer in the Southeast Asian nation. The carmaker was set up in 1983 by then-Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad. -- Bloomberg
Proton rose as much as 5 per cent to RM4.20 and changed hands at RM4.12 at 11:55 am. DRB, controlled by Malaysian billionaire Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, also rose to a three-week high. Malaysian sovereign-wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd owns 42.7 per cent of Proton.
DRB-Hicom made a bid to purchase 32 per cent of the state- controlled carmaker, the daily reported October 10, citing a person familiar with the situation it didn’t identify. Proton, set up more than two decades ago as an emblem of industrialisation, had been in discussions with carmakers including Volkswagen AG for an alliance.
“We do not rule out potential local partners taking up strategic stakes in Proton,” Hafriz Hezry, an analyst at local brokerage AmResearch Sdn Bhd, wrote in a report today. Still, “we do not expect this to materialise any time soon.”
The automaker’s chairman Mohd Nadzmi Bin Mohd Salleh was unavailable for comment today. DRB-Hicom declined to comment. Khazanah senior vice president Mohd Asuki Bin Abas didn’t answer phone calls.
Write-Offs
A deal may be delayed “in view of huge investment write-offs faced by Khazanah should it relinquish its stake at current price levels,” analyst Hafriz wrote in his report. An agreement will come only after Proton concludes talks with a global automotive partner, wrote Hafriz, who rates Proton a “buy.”
Proton shares have more than doubled this year after slumping in each of the past two years.
DRB-Hicom, a car assembler and parts supplier to Proton, may face rival bids, including from Naza Group, the newspaper said. Proton may favor a management buyout, the report said, citing Mohd Nadzi.
The report comes after Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said on June 30 that government-linked investment companies should divest their holdings in industries that are “best taken by entrepreneurs.”
Proton has resumed talks with Germany’s Volkswagen, the paper reported on September 11. Malaysia’s government in 2007 ended alliance talks with Volkswagen and General Motors Co.
Protons, driven by taxi drivers across Malaysia, are among the cheapest cars on offer in the Southeast Asian nation. The carmaker was set up in 1983 by then-Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad. -- Bloomberg
Proton Exora Makes Grand Introduction At Rizqun
Bandar Seri Begawan - Hundreds flock to see the unveiling of the first Malaysian multipurpose vehicle (MPV) `Exora' by Malaysian car manufacturer Proton when it made an official debut here in Brunei at a launching ceremony held at the Rizqun International Hotel yesterday.
Present at the launching ceremony were the Brunei-Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Haji Md Yusof bin Bakar, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari and representatives from proton Holdings Berhad, as well as from Worldwide Motor Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Proton cars in Brunei.
Brunei is the third export market for the Exora after entering the Singapore and Indonesia markets earlier this year. The Exora is also making its way to Thailand and is expected to be launched there in December. This is the 9th Proton model to be exported to Brunei since proton made its presence in 2002.
The Exora marks Proton's foray into MPV segment, a new segment for the 24-year-old company.
"As a relatively young car manufacturer, the Exora is a major achievement for us and it signifies our commitment in developing products that satisfy the current market needs and wants, both domestically and internationally," said Proton Holdings Berhad Chairman Dato' Mohd Nadzmi bin Mohd Salleh.
The Exora encompasses almost 90 per cent of Malaysian parts and components and is the first "Malaysian-made' MPV, with Proton's involvement right from its design and concept to its engineering and manufacturing stages.
The Exora is also an engineering feat for Proton as it was developed in merely 18 months from the time Proton fixed the design (model-fix) right up to its production stage.
Dato' Mohd Nadzmi added, "Brunei is an important MPV market for Proton as the segment is in high demand there.
"Our target market is for those families who are looking for an MPV that is competitively priced but spacious, stylish and up-to-date in terms of technology. We hope to see a positive response from the families in Brunei."-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Present at the launching ceremony were the Brunei-Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Haji Md Yusof bin Bakar, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari and representatives from proton Holdings Berhad, as well as from Worldwide Motor Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Proton cars in Brunei.
Brunei is the third export market for the Exora after entering the Singapore and Indonesia markets earlier this year. The Exora is also making its way to Thailand and is expected to be launched there in December. This is the 9th Proton model to be exported to Brunei since proton made its presence in 2002.
The Exora marks Proton's foray into MPV segment, a new segment for the 24-year-old company.
"As a relatively young car manufacturer, the Exora is a major achievement for us and it signifies our commitment in developing products that satisfy the current market needs and wants, both domestically and internationally," said Proton Holdings Berhad Chairman Dato' Mohd Nadzmi bin Mohd Salleh.
The Exora encompasses almost 90 per cent of Malaysian parts and components and is the first "Malaysian-made' MPV, with Proton's involvement right from its design and concept to its engineering and manufacturing stages.
The Exora is also an engineering feat for Proton as it was developed in merely 18 months from the time Proton fixed the design (model-fix) right up to its production stage.
Dato' Mohd Nadzmi added, "Brunei is an important MPV market for Proton as the segment is in high demand there.
"Our target market is for those families who are looking for an MPV that is competitively priced but spacious, stylish and up-to-date in terms of technology. We hope to see a positive response from the families in Brunei."-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Proton's High Performance Engine To Be Ready By 2011
NORWIRCH (United Kingdom), Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Proton Holdings Bhd expects its new high-torque pressure-charged performance engine to be ready by 2011.
Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd's Engineering Division Director Tajul Zahari Abu Bakar said Proton was developing the engine in collaboration with Lotus Engineering with the active involvement of Malaysian engineers and vendors.
" Fifty per cent of the special components of the engine is supplied and developed together with Malaysian suppliers," he told Malaysian reporters in Norwirch today.
He added that the objective of this engine development was basically to improve its capability as well as facilitate the transfer of technology to Proton and Malaysian suppliers.
Saying that 70 engineers were involved in the engine development, Tajul Zahari added the performance of the 1,600 cc engine was equivalent to that of a 2,000 cc engine.
The engine promises a high torque for enhanced driveability with improved economy, performance and emissions, he added.
Tajul Zahari said the engine, which was launched by Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin here on Friday, has been tested under all weather conditions and is compatible with the RON 95 and RON 97 fuel.
He said the engine, designed to have reduced emission level, low maintenance as well as better service ability, would be fitted in Proton's export models.
-- BERNAMA
Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd's Engineering Division Director Tajul Zahari Abu Bakar said Proton was developing the engine in collaboration with Lotus Engineering with the active involvement of Malaysian engineers and vendors.
" Fifty per cent of the special components of the engine is supplied and developed together with Malaysian suppliers," he told Malaysian reporters in Norwirch today.
He added that the objective of this engine development was basically to improve its capability as well as facilitate the transfer of technology to Proton and Malaysian suppliers.
Saying that 70 engineers were involved in the engine development, Tajul Zahari added the performance of the 1,600 cc engine was equivalent to that of a 2,000 cc engine.
The engine promises a high torque for enhanced driveability with improved economy, performance and emissions, he added.
Tajul Zahari said the engine, which was launched by Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin here on Friday, has been tested under all weather conditions and is compatible with the RON 95 and RON 97 fuel.
He said the engine, designed to have reduced emission level, low maintenance as well as better service ability, would be fitted in Proton's export models.
-- BERNAMA
Proton Team To Visit India To Finalise Joint Venture With Hero
NEW DELHI, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- A delegation from Proton Holdings Bhd is expected to arrive here later this month to finalise plans to form a joint venture with Hero Group.
The Economic Times in today's front-page "Hero chases small car dream with Proton" said that Proton and Hero Group were in the final stage of negotiations.
Hero Group's top executives, according to the newspaper, had visited Proton's Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim plants and its car design subsidiary, Lotus in the United Kingdom.
Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Corporate Service Ltd, told the newspaper: "Proton came and met us earlier and there's nothing more to add."
The tie-up would enable Hero Group, a family owned company that started off producing bicycle components in early 1940s, to enter the robust Indian passenger car market, which sold 1.5 million vehicles last year.
Proton had been critically exploring the Indian motor vehicle sector for some years and had talks with leading Indian players like Mahindra and Mahindra, Ambassador, Hindustan Motors, Sonalika's International Car and Motors Ltd and Argentum Motors.
More interaction between both parties is in the pipeline when International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed visit India later this month.
The US$4 billion Hero Group is owned by Delhi-based Munjal family.
In the past, the Indian company had also explored joint venture possibilities with French carmaker Peugeot-Citroen and Germany's Volkswagen, to manufacture cars for the Indian market, said the paper.
-- BERNAMA
The Economic Times in today's front-page "Hero chases small car dream with Proton" said that Proton and Hero Group were in the final stage of negotiations.
Hero Group's top executives, according to the newspaper, had visited Proton's Shah Alam and Tanjung Malim plants and its car design subsidiary, Lotus in the United Kingdom.
Sunil Kant Munjal, chairman of Hero Corporate Service Ltd, told the newspaper: "Proton came and met us earlier and there's nothing more to add."
The tie-up would enable Hero Group, a family owned company that started off producing bicycle components in early 1940s, to enter the robust Indian passenger car market, which sold 1.5 million vehicles last year.
Proton had been critically exploring the Indian motor vehicle sector for some years and had talks with leading Indian players like Mahindra and Mahindra, Ambassador, Hindustan Motors, Sonalika's International Car and Motors Ltd and Argentum Motors.
More interaction between both parties is in the pipeline when International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed visit India later this month.
The US$4 billion Hero Group is owned by Delhi-based Munjal family.
In the past, the Indian company had also explored joint venture possibilities with French carmaker Peugeot-Citroen and Germany's Volkswagen, to manufacture cars for the Indian market, said the paper.
-- BERNAMA
Proton shares rise 1.5 per cent on takeover speculation
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Shares of Malaysian carmaker Proton Holdings gained 1.5 per cent to RM4.07 yesterday on market speculation that the company may be taken over.
At least three parties have been identified as interested — DRB-Hicom, the Naza auto group and Proton’s management, whose chairman Nadzmi Salleh suggested a possible buyout last week.
Nadzmi was quoted by The Star newspaper as saying he is willing to help management spin off the carmaker.
“If Proton is indeed for sale and the price is right, I see no reason why a management buyout should not be considered,” he was quoted as saying.
But industry officials say the leading contender at the moment is DRB-Hicom.
The conglomerate is controlled by tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, a billionaire who bid for Proton about five years ago.
Syed Mokhtar is close to Prime Minister Najib Razak and former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who is Proton’s adviser.
DRB-Hicom is apparently looking to buy 32 per cent of Proton. And its bid is likely to be backed by Dr Mahathir if it can rope in Volkswagen as a partner, which apparently is what Syed Mokhtar is trying to do.
If he does pull off a deal, Proton’s sale from state hands would give Kuala Lumpur greater flexibility to open up the auto sector as it would no longer have any involvement in a vehicle maker.
Indeed, some analysts suspect this as the reason the government recently postponed announcing a national automotive to spell out the blueprint for the industry.
The Volkswagen angle is real. The German carmaker said last month it was looking at building cars in Malaysia with Proton.
Malaysia lost a golden chance to exit the car industry altogether when it rejected a previous bid for Proton from the German company. Volkswagen was in talks with the government to take a stake in the carmaker but talks collapsed in 2007 after Proton’s management pleaded with the government for a last chance.
Proton posted a net loss of RM320 million for the year to March 31 this year but is expected to return to the black in the current financial year.
Even so, it continues to lose market share and has been bogged down by its seeming inability to come out with regular new models. — Business Times Singapore
At least three parties have been identified as interested — DRB-Hicom, the Naza auto group and Proton’s management, whose chairman Nadzmi Salleh suggested a possible buyout last week.
Nadzmi was quoted by The Star newspaper as saying he is willing to help management spin off the carmaker.
“If Proton is indeed for sale and the price is right, I see no reason why a management buyout should not be considered,” he was quoted as saying.
But industry officials say the leading contender at the moment is DRB-Hicom.
The conglomerate is controlled by tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, a billionaire who bid for Proton about five years ago.
Syed Mokhtar is close to Prime Minister Najib Razak and former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who is Proton’s adviser.
DRB-Hicom is apparently looking to buy 32 per cent of Proton. And its bid is likely to be backed by Dr Mahathir if it can rope in Volkswagen as a partner, which apparently is what Syed Mokhtar is trying to do.
If he does pull off a deal, Proton’s sale from state hands would give Kuala Lumpur greater flexibility to open up the auto sector as it would no longer have any involvement in a vehicle maker.
Indeed, some analysts suspect this as the reason the government recently postponed announcing a national automotive to spell out the blueprint for the industry.
The Volkswagen angle is real. The German carmaker said last month it was looking at building cars in Malaysia with Proton.
Malaysia lost a golden chance to exit the car industry altogether when it rejected a previous bid for Proton from the German company. Volkswagen was in talks with the government to take a stake in the carmaker but talks collapsed in 2007 after Proton’s management pleaded with the government for a last chance.
Proton posted a net loss of RM320 million for the year to March 31 this year but is expected to return to the black in the current financial year.
Even so, it continues to lose market share and has been bogged down by its seeming inability to come out with regular new models. — Business Times Singapore
Proton Hopes Budget 2010 Will Be In Line With The New NAP
SHAH ALAM, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Proton Holdings Bhd hopes that the Budget 2010 will be in line with the new National Automotive Policy (NAP), said its chairman, Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh.
"The government will announce a new policy for the NAP and I hope the forthcoming budget concept will be in line with it," he said at the company's Hari Raya open house here Monday.
Also present was the group managing director, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
Details of the review of the NAP is expected to be announced on Oct 27 by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry ( MITI).
Mohd Nadzmi said that Proton Holdings had not received any information on the incentives for the automotive sector, but hoped that the government will continue to support the industry as it is related to many others while stimulating the economy.
Asked about Proton's expectations of the NAP, Mohd Nadzmi said: "We ourselves do not know.Our hope is that the new policy will provide the boost and incentives for any of the automotive companies in the country, which will help the automotive industry."
He said that the government should provide incentives to local manufacturers based on what they had contributed to the industry and not just based on protection alone.
"We feel that such an incentive is better to boost the country's automotive industry," he added.
-- BERNAMA
"The government will announce a new policy for the NAP and I hope the forthcoming budget concept will be in line with it," he said at the company's Hari Raya open house here Monday.
Also present was the group managing director, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.
Details of the review of the NAP is expected to be announced on Oct 27 by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry ( MITI).
Mohd Nadzmi said that Proton Holdings had not received any information on the incentives for the automotive sector, but hoped that the government will continue to support the industry as it is related to many others while stimulating the economy.
Asked about Proton's expectations of the NAP, Mohd Nadzmi said: "We ourselves do not know.Our hope is that the new policy will provide the boost and incentives for any of the automotive companies in the country, which will help the automotive industry."
He said that the government should provide incentives to local manufacturers based on what they had contributed to the industry and not just based on protection alone.
"We feel that such an incentive is better to boost the country's automotive industry," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Proton targets 115,000 sales by March 2010
MALAYSIA'S national carmaker, Proton, is confident of achieving annual sales of 155,000 units by March 2010 based on current market sentiment.
Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim, the chief executive officer of Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, said for the six months ended September 2009, car sales had already exceeded an initial target of 73,000 units.
Proton Edar Sdn Bhd is the main distribution arm of Proton Holdings Bhd.
"The market is encouraging with signs of consumer confidence in the automotive market," Shukor said during the prize presentation ceremony to winners of the "Proton Drive for Cash" contest.
"Confidence and acceptance in the market towards our brand has increased, and this is evident in the increase in sales numbers," he added.
Even after the festive season, Shukor said, bookings are still strong.
He also emphasised that car buyers have now started to notice how Proton had improved in its products and service quality, as evident from the "hot" selling models, the Persona, Saga and Exora.
On the contest, Shukor said it had successfully met its objective as car sales for June and July, increased impressively to 14,065 units and 15,809 units respectively.
This, he explained, had placed Proton in the top spot for Malaysian car sales, for the said months.
"Apart from cash prizes, the attractive offers under the campaign were also a hit with our customers," he said.
According to Shukor, the contest from June to August this year, received an overwhelming response from customers with cash prizes worth RM50,000 to be won weekly and monthly.
In general, winners were selected based on the creativeness of their slogans.
The monthly winners, who each won RM20,000 for their winning slogans, were Tan Kay Pau from Batu Pahat (June), Loh Kam Fook of Kuantan (July) and Lim Tzaw Feng from Johor Bahru (August).
The Grand Prize winner, Anisah Alias from Kota Bahru who bought a Persona 1.6L, won herself RM50,000 for her winning slogan.
As to developments on a possible tie-up with foreign partners, Shukor said, opportunities are always there for collaboration.
"We are looking at product collaboration. We are also looking at where a partner could add value for us," he explained. -- BERNAMA
Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim, the chief executive officer of Proton Edar Sdn Bhd, said for the six months ended September 2009, car sales had already exceeded an initial target of 73,000 units.
Proton Edar Sdn Bhd is the main distribution arm of Proton Holdings Bhd.
"The market is encouraging with signs of consumer confidence in the automotive market," Shukor said during the prize presentation ceremony to winners of the "Proton Drive for Cash" contest.
"Confidence and acceptance in the market towards our brand has increased, and this is evident in the increase in sales numbers," he added.
Even after the festive season, Shukor said, bookings are still strong.
He also emphasised that car buyers have now started to notice how Proton had improved in its products and service quality, as evident from the "hot" selling models, the Persona, Saga and Exora.
On the contest, Shukor said it had successfully met its objective as car sales for June and July, increased impressively to 14,065 units and 15,809 units respectively.
This, he explained, had placed Proton in the top spot for Malaysian car sales, for the said months.
"Apart from cash prizes, the attractive offers under the campaign were also a hit with our customers," he said.
According to Shukor, the contest from June to August this year, received an overwhelming response from customers with cash prizes worth RM50,000 to be won weekly and monthly.
In general, winners were selected based on the creativeness of their slogans.
The monthly winners, who each won RM20,000 for their winning slogans, were Tan Kay Pau from Batu Pahat (June), Loh Kam Fook of Kuantan (July) and Lim Tzaw Feng from Johor Bahru (August).
The Grand Prize winner, Anisah Alias from Kota Bahru who bought a Persona 1.6L, won herself RM50,000 for her winning slogan.
As to developments on a possible tie-up with foreign partners, Shukor said, opportunities are always there for collaboration.
"We are looking at product collaboration. We are also looking at where a partner could add value for us," he explained. -- BERNAMA
UK-based Proton Power Systems
UK-based Proton Power Systems (LSE:PPS.L) said it has signed a partnership and exclusivity agreement with Muskegon, Mich.-based L-3 Communications Combat Propulsion Systems to expand in the North American market.
Proton Power—which produces fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems for motive and stationary applications—said L-3 plans to sell its systems for use in propulsion systems, marine and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) applications to the North American military and civilian applications market.
L-3 develops propulsion and mobility systems such as engines and transmissions for military combat platforms on a worldwide level. It is a division of U.S. defense contractor L-3 Communications. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Proton Power’s polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells run on hydrogen, converting hydrogen into electrical energy. The German company says the technology, when combined with thermal energy conversion in UPS applications, offers energy efficiencies that can reach more than 90 percent.
In May, Proton Power’s subsidiary Proton Motor signed an exclusive, five-year agreement with contract manufacturer Deutsche Mechatronics to facilitate the volume production of Proton Motor’s fuel cell systems in Germany (see Proton ramps fuel cell production with Deutsche Mechatronics deal). Proton Motor is developing fuel cells that can be integrated with energy storage media to create hybrid fuel systems.
In 2008, Proton Motor delivered a ship's fuel cell system, one of the first times the technology had been applied in passenger vessels (see Proton Motor debuts first fuel cell passenger ship)
Proton Power—which produces fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems for motive and stationary applications—said L-3 plans to sell its systems for use in propulsion systems, marine and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) applications to the North American military and civilian applications market.
L-3 develops propulsion and mobility systems such as engines and transmissions for military combat platforms on a worldwide level. It is a division of U.S. defense contractor L-3 Communications. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Proton Power’s polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells run on hydrogen, converting hydrogen into electrical energy. The German company says the technology, when combined with thermal energy conversion in UPS applications, offers energy efficiencies that can reach more than 90 percent.
In May, Proton Power’s subsidiary Proton Motor signed an exclusive, five-year agreement with contract manufacturer Deutsche Mechatronics to facilitate the volume production of Proton Motor’s fuel cell systems in Germany (see Proton ramps fuel cell production with Deutsche Mechatronics deal). Proton Motor is developing fuel cells that can be integrated with energy storage media to create hybrid fuel systems.
In 2008, Proton Motor delivered a ship's fuel cell system, one of the first times the technology had been applied in passenger vessels (see Proton Motor debuts first fuel cell passenger ship)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Proton develops Gen2 EVE hybrid car
proton_gen2_eve_hybrid_1 Proton Malaysia is developing a new, fuel-efficient hybrid car to beat rising costs and address environmental concerns, reports said Sunday.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told the state Bernama news agency he had already test-driven the car and urged the company to continue researching energy-saving technologies.
"The kind of car that all countries and car companies love now is the green car. Consumers will also be happy when they drive such a car knowing it saves fuel and does not pollute," the Star daily quoted him as saying.
"Such an effort by Proton will also assist the government in saving petrol and preserving the environment."
Hybrid vehicles, which deliver power by switching between a gasoline (petrol) engine and an electric motor, can save up to 30 percent on fuel costs but they are more expensive than conventional models.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told the state Bernama news agency he had already test-driven the car and urged the company to continue researching energy-saving technologies.
"The kind of car that all countries and car companies love now is the green car. Consumers will also be happy when they drive such a car knowing it saves fuel and does not pollute," the Star daily quoted him as saying.
"Such an effort by Proton will also assist the government in saving petrol and preserving the environment."
Hybrid vehicles, which deliver power by switching between a gasoline (petrol) engine and an electric motor, can save up to 30 percent on fuel costs but they are more expensive than conventional models.
Proton First MPV
The only thing we can do is hope that Proton MPV will be out soon… and it’s under 2000cc, or else the owner couldn’t get the fuel subsidy.Here some more details source, he managed managed to catch some of his hints from his writing plus others gathered from few forums and blogs, and these are the summary of information related to the Proton MPV which he deem reliable. Its up to the readers here whether to believe it or not. If you have other believable information to add here, please do so.The Project:
A little bird told me that the project had started a while ago, starting on par with the development of Persona. By now it should have reached quite advance stage of development process. There are news that says few clay models have been completed. The Chassis is ready now and structurul rigidity is still being fine tune to get better crash rating standard. The target product launch date is somewhere in the 1st quarter of 2009. So, we might see spyshots of this mpv on road test starting from Jun 2008 onwards.
The Capacity:
One of the most probable facts is that its going to be a 7 seater. And not just any 7 seater. It can seats 7 full size adults. Not like Citra or Livina which are actually 5 + 2 seater. The third row seats will not have raised floor level which are only suited for kids. The cabin space will be better and ample storage capacity even with the last seat up.
The Engine:
There are few engine option under testing and consideration. One of it is the standard campro 1.6 cps engine, secondly, the supercharge campro 1.6 cps with added vvt mechanism and lastly the Mitsubishi 2.0 V6 engine currently used in the Perdana. For the first option, I think the CPS version might be able to pull the load with 2 or 3 passengers but for fully loaded and climbing hill? I don’t think so. From waja to the latest model, Proton is well known for its heavier chassis and body which contribute to its magnificent handling. The third engine option is too outdated already and more expensive in terms of maintenance. It’s not going to appeal to the targeted market. So I think the best choice would be the second engine. Why? Because it can deliver the best power to weight ratio at minimal price. As quoted by Si-Fu, one of the regular visitor to PT blog: “The system above, provides good consumption at low speed, good low end and high end torque and most importantly power only when u need it.”
The Chassis:
The only choice proton would have is to start from the Waja Platform base. It was mention a long time ago that the Waja GX platform would spawn to many type of vehicles and one of it is an MPV. Based from the below data, The Chancellor platform is the best bet. This is also support the above statement regarding roomier cabin and storage space compared with the Wish.
Waja w/base: 2600 mm Dim: 4465 x 1740 x 1420 (L x W x H) mm
Chancellor w/base: 2850 mm Dim: 4715 x 1740 x 1420 mm
Wish w/base: 2750 mm Dim: 4560 x 1695 x 1590 mm
The Interior:
The news says that the interior are going to get the utmost attention especially on quality and praticality. Seems that dark color theme will be chosen as this is the prefered color by most Malaysian. The Dashboard, central console & steering wheel design will be something fresh and totally new. There will an extra aircond blower for rear passengers and the third row seats will be able to fold flat, just like the persona’s. There will be lots of cups holders as most MPVs and also not forgetting grocery hooks. As a whole, the interior quality will be on par with the best of the Japanese makes.
The Exterior:
For the exterior design, it is said that the Toyota Wish is it’s primary benchmark. The new Honda Stream and Mazda 5 are also included. So expect the body curves to be as stylish as this three models but slightly longer as to give better space for last row sits and luggage area. The front face might be taking some cue from the Lotus APX but overall, from afar, somebody could mistake it for the Toyota Wish.
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