Proton and Proton's car

I lived with passion in cars & vehicle. Unlike new generation, I was born and live few years before Malaysia start it own national car. My father used brand new Fiat 2.0 that time for his daily commute. He never buy Japanese car in his life, since then till now. Thus, that kind of passion was inside me too.

My first car was Saga 1.5S. As just graduated from local university, my father present me the 2nd hand car as jump start for me to start work immediately. Thanks to him, I managed to secure good & well position in MNC in Penang. The car served me well, without any failure even once. At this time, the market for non-national car start increasing in price tremendously made by government in order to protect Proton.

Car ownership during the time (93-95) was about to pick-up. You'll see how customer begging for cars from salesman. For those who experienced buying Proton cars during this time would remember that they have to pay extra RM2-3K just to get their car out to be on the road. Don't even ask for discount (Luckly new owner now). To add salt to the pain, sky-high interest rate (11%-13%) added by bank to take advantages of the situation, yet people still rushing for new car & 2nd hand cars. These trend continues till late 90's.

Starting from year 2000, some people start moving from Proton to other makers despite high price just to show their disappointment to Proton quality. What can you expect? Demand much more it can produce. Management pushing for output, while QA caught in the middle. Money pouring in, who dares to stop the money in? Thus, the result should as most manufacturing personnel expected.

Some people just made harsh decision to show their disappointment. Some even buy rubbish Korea's car just to walk away from Proton cars. This was fuelled by emerging partnership between NAZA and KIA, DRB-Hyundai and their aggressive zero down payment promotion. Those with extra money will opt for Japanese, Continental cars. They just don't care about price any more.

From that time onward, start another altitude of Malaysia whom look down at those buying Proton's car. Only poor buy Proton's car. Only those can afford 9 years loan buy Proton. People even rate Proton's owner life cheaper due to lack of safety feature. Guys, please look at accident causes in Malaysia, is it due to car safety feature or is it because of the drivers itself?

Looks now, most of car seller also offer 9 years loan. Even Toyota sell Vios with less safety feature. Honda with their City, Hyundai - Accent.. list goes on.. Yes, we would like to have active safety features but bear in mind, passive safety features must be in place first. Why? Just imagine you sitting in the car on traffic light & suddenly a lorry from opposite lost control ramming straight to you. Does your airbag/ABS+EBD/ECS going to protect you from such horror?

Thus, I believe in proton engineers to develop such car with passive safety in place. Yes I do love driving proton cars & proud of it. Defect parts/cheap plastic feeling? Blame on their vendors & IQA inspector !!