P3-21A the new model

Proton Holdings Berhad has just announced the price for their latest model P3-21A that is from MYR62,000-RM75,000 per unit according to the variance of specification available. Bookings are able to be made since yesterday (14th March 2012) for only RM500 at any available Proton showrooms throughout Malaysia.

Proton stake sold by Khazanah to DRB-Hicom

adapted from BBC news 16 Jan 2012

Malaysia's state-owned investment firm Khazanah has sold its stake in carmaker Proton in one of the biggest deals in the country's auto sector. 

• Khazanah offloaded its 42.7% stake in for 1.29bn ringgit ($410m; £269m) to DRB-Hicom.
• DRB, owned by billionaire Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, will have to make a mandatory offer for the remaining shares.
• DRB already assembles vehicles for Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz.
• "DRB-Hicom's proposal also demonstrated the company's extensive involvement in the automotive sector and its network of strategic partnerships, both local and international," Khazanah said in a statement.
• "DRB-Hicom's proposed strategy and business plan provides an effective platform to enhance Proton's sustainability and meet its long-term growth needs."

Proton Cars; among the top reliable car

I had one experience where a friend downgraded Proton car saying that the manufacturing quality is very low. I think she is still living in the 80's when Proton was still taking its baby steps towards perfection in automobile industry. She even stated that a relative quit his job in Proton because he did not want to bear the responsibility of killing people on the road. Oh! Come on!

However recently in July, Direct Line Breakdown in London revealed that Proton is one of the few most reliable cars on British roads. This result is through their research on the car's reliability. Other makes that are among the reliable cars are Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Nissan. Proton coming hot on the heels of these famous makes to be the fifth least likely to suffer mechanical breakdown.