KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Proton's new sedan, codenamed BLM, is open for booking at all its showrooms and authorised dealers nationwide beginning Tuesday.
The model is scheduled to be unveiled in mid-January and is set to be a hit with Malaysians, the national carmaker said in a statement here Monday.BLM will become the sixth vehicle fully developed and built ground-up by Proton after Waja (2000), Gen.2 (2004), Savvy (2005), Satria Neo (2006) and Persona (2007).
The new car is the second new model introduced by the national carmaker in less than six months.
Proton Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said the national carmaker considered it apt to make it a truly Malaysian celebration of the New Year by opening for booking a car built for the people.
"We are confident that the BLM will be the ideal New Year's gift to the nation. The model combines simple, contemporary design with dynamic driving performance, practical features, affordable price and economical ownership costs, which we strongly believe will be the right car for the right market, at the right price and time," Syed Zainal said.
Syed Zainal also expressed his confidence that the new car would attract much interest that will subsequently be translated into bookings even before it is unveiled at its official launch.
The 1.3-litre BLM will be priced between RM30,000 and RM35,000, with the variants available in seven colours - Zircon Green, Metallic Black, Solid White, Mountain Blue, Genetic Silver, Chilli Red and Granite Gray.
"We are very excited. Just like the very first car that rolled out from the Proton factory in 1985, this will mark a very momentous occasion for Proton," he said.
Syed Zainal also pointed out that it will be the beginning of a new saga, with the car being another source of national pride and an icon that every Malaysian will be proud to own or be in one.
-- BERNAMA
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Comments (12)
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written by Kuku Burung, January 01, 2008 06:18:40
written by Kuku Burung, January 01, 2008 06:18:40
R&D is one of the most vital section of any manufacturing outfit. It seems that Proton management still do not have any clue about R&D. What they understood is to pick here and there and fit it into a so call "National Car". The whole management team knows little about recruiting talents for such industry. Insisting that this is a bumiputra outfit is to fool themselves and no one else. Talents come in different shapes and sizes, have nothing to do with colors or ethnicity. Nissan Motors recruited an european wizard to pull it out of depression; Toyota design teams consist of more then 30% non-Japanese. Proton not only is narrow in thinking but outright racist in approach. Quality control is a "look-and-kick" exercise.
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written by ahmadbadrul40, January 01, 2008 00:34:24
written by ahmadbadrul40, January 01, 2008 00:34:24
Proton car is not reliable. Their technology is way behind. They don't even have a reputable R&D team. They cannot do it. They will collapse when our economy collapse. People will march to the street to demand transparency and accountability of the goverment money.
Where is the goverment money? Where are they spending it on? Where is the Petronas money. Where are they spending it on? Why all the goverment projects are dominated by UMNO cronies?
If UMNO don't believe in fair and equality, then they don't believe in tallent and innovation. They believe in money and power. So how can UMNO create a world class company. No farking way. They don't even practice meritocracy and how will they be able to discover the best talent for the job.
UMNO is doomed to fail.
Where is the goverment money? Where are they spending it on? Where is the Petronas money. Where are they spending it on? Why all the goverment projects are dominated by UMNO cronies?
If UMNO don't believe in fair and equality, then they don't believe in tallent and innovation. They believe in money and power. So how can UMNO create a world class company. No farking way. They don't even practice meritocracy and how will they be able to discover the best talent for the job.
UMNO is doomed to fail.
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written by Hope4all, January 01, 2008 00:18:45
written by Hope4all, January 01, 2008 00:18:45
MyVI Daihatsu (now part of Toyota with VVT technology) engine beats the Proton's CamPro engine hands down!
Proton needs a partner for R&D and technology. If not, the cars exported will be used mainly as modern day disposable beca (taxis!) only.
Proton needs a partner for R&D and technology. If not, the cars exported will be used mainly as modern day disposable beca (taxis!) only.
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written by Littlebird, January 01, 2008 00:17:33
written by Littlebird, January 01, 2008 00:17:33
For every proton or any car you buy, you are indirectly contributing to the AP kings who who actually benefits the UMNO. If you see the actual price of Persona1.6 HL in Singapore before taxes is about Sing$11012 (i.e proton's actual selling price). IN Malaysia it is being sold at RM55000. SInce So who is making the extra RM30000?
Those days a simple primary school teacher with RM900 salary can buy a toyota corola for RM10000. But now the price is RM100000 but the pay is not RM9000. Something is wrong somewhere.
Those days a simple primary school teacher with RM900 salary can buy a toyota corola for RM10000. But now the price is RM100000 but the pay is not RM9000. Something is wrong somewhere.
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written by rastafarianz, December 31, 2007 23:41:08
written by rastafarianz, December 31, 2007 23:41:08
I saw the photo in a forwarded email. It looks something like LATIO! almost 85% copied. When this Proton will grow up and build something that people wants! 
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written by sedan, December 31, 2007 20:34:40
written by sedan, December 31, 2007 20:34:40
Quote: "BLM will become the sixth vehicle fully developed and built ground-up by Proton after Waja (2000), Gen.2 (2004), Savvy (2005), Satria Neo (2006) and Persona (2007)."
PATENTLY FALSE. They all had foreign R&D input, and all imitate foreign components. Which other manufacturer of similar size comes up with a "new" model each year? Even Mazda does not!
PATENTLY FALSE. They all had foreign R&D input, and all imitate foreign components. Which other manufacturer of similar size comes up with a "new" model each year? Even Mazda does not!
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written by panca, December 31, 2007 18:42:34
written by panca, December 31, 2007 18:42:34
Dont border yakking about quality if they aren't there because "it's advertising a lie". Owners for any car want to drive with confidence, be it any country-made. Integrity is not a substitute word for going-to-be better another time.
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written by Kuku Burung, December 31, 2007 16:15:01
written by Kuku Burung, December 31, 2007 16:15:01
When one hears of Proton, the first thing comes to mind is poor quality cars. Even though other models are more expensive up front, in the long run they are much better economically. I used to own two Protons, but with the amount of money I spent on maintenance, I regretted owning them, not to mention the worries that I have when traveling long distance. I agree that, Proton should look at the aspect of quality before producing another models.
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written by idham, December 31, 2007 15:42:12
written by idham, December 31, 2007 15:42:12
Harganya memang padan dgn standard aku. Kereta besar, import tu untuk tokey AP dan UMNO/BN. Taxpayers mcm alu ni slaves untuk UMNO/BN.
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written by Sunnysoul5, December 31, 2007 14:25:55
written by Sunnysoul5, December 31, 2007 14:25:55
Latest news is that Tata India has bought over Jaguar and Land Rover business units from Ford. At the same time, Tata is going to launch a car that is going to sell at US$2,500.
Proton cars are generally over priced and the biggest liability is the quality problems that have not been resolved time and time again. Malaysians for the love of the country may give Proton a chance, but the quality problems after purchasing is a big let down.
Competiting with Perodua head on may not be the wisest decision.
Sort out the quality problems before launching new models may be the most sensible thing to do.
Proton cars are generally over priced and the biggest liability is the quality problems that have not been resolved time and time again. Malaysians for the love of the country may give Proton a chance, but the quality problems after purchasing is a big let down.
Competiting with Perodua head on may not be the wisest decision.
Sort out the quality problems before launching new models may be the most sensible thing to do.
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written by evilbunny, December 31, 2007 14:19:38
written by evilbunny, December 31, 2007 14:19:38
BLM - boleh lebih murah?
dont they have the savvy at that price range? now that they lost most of their mid-midhigh class sales they want to bite into perodua's market but i think they will have no chance at all. now that perodua is doing well in the compact/budget class they are trying to go into proton's market as well. luckily daihatsu is own by toyota, but honda n toyota are taking up all the mid market sales.
proton is more of a burden to the country, just right it off not before more $$$ is wasted.
dont they have the savvy at that price range? now that they lost most of their mid-midhigh class sales they want to bite into perodua's market but i think they will have no chance at all. now that perodua is doing well in the compact/budget class they are trying to go into proton's market as well. luckily daihatsu is own by toyota, but honda n toyota are taking up all the mid market sales.
proton is more of a burden to the country, just right it off not before more $$$ is wasted.
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