Proton launches its new Perdana model, intended initially to be used as an official government car.
Executive Chairman Khamil Jamil delivers the first unit to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, marking the start of an initial delivery of 200 units that eventually will reach 3,000.
The Edge newspaper reports Proton parent DRB-Hicom also has received orders for the new model, which comes in 2.0L and 2.4L variants, from state governments and organizations.
Khamil says the launch marks an important milestone for Proton after receiving a mandate to produce a new Perdana for the Malaysian government in just eight months.
“The Proton Perdana delivered today is part of a development program undertaken by Proton with its collaborative partner, Honda Japan,” Khamil says in a statement.
The Perdana replacement model being used by the Malaysian government is the first phase of Proton’s plans to develop a new D-segment vehicle. The automaker has entered a second phase involving further development of the D-segment model under a platform-sharing initiative, with all-new interior and exterior changes.
It will be released to the Malaysian market in 2016.
“Being in all significant market segments is important for Proton in order to regain its No.1 position in the industry,” Khamil says. “Having presence in the new D-segment market, represented by Proton’s flagship model Perdana, will certainly support Proton’s turnaround plan and future growth in realizing Proton’s true potential to becoming a globally competitive automotive manufacturer.”
Development of the Perdana is part of Proton’s 5-year business plan that aims to boost annual production to 500,000 units, including 150,000 exports.
Investment company AmResearch says in a report published in The Edge it understands Proton also plans to introduce a small global car next year that will have an initial 60,000-unit production run.
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