Perodua, not Proton should be our national car
The glory days of Proton are long gone and it is time Dr Mahathir Mohamad wised-up to that fact.
By Tajuddin Rosli
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s latest defence of Proton is a sign of someone who is losing himself. Mahathir claims Proton is as good as any imported car. He added that the problem with Proton was not poor quality, but instead the perception that Proton does not produce good cars. I would like Mahathir to reveal what he has been smoking so that the correct antidote can be prescribed to bring him back to reality.
The whole country knows Proton is the epitome of low quality. It is not about perception of local versus foreign. Proton is not even the top selling local car. Proton only survived as long as it did because Mahathir kept it alive with alleged constant bailouts. Mahathir denying bailouts for Proton is akin to him saying Mokhzani Mahathir is a poor man.
Perodua leaves Proton far behind in terms of quality. Yapping nonsense does not render results, Dr M. In 2011, Perodua sold 179,989 units compared to Proton’s sale of 158,657 units. In 2012 and 2013, Perodua sold 189,137 and 196,071 units respectively while only 141,121 and 138,753 units of Proton were sold in the same period. It is evident that the sales of Perodua are increasing while fewer people are wasting their money on Proton. The numbers speak for themselves. The government should strongly consider shutting down Proton and making Perodua our national car instead.
The golden years of Proton lasted as long as Mahathir remained in power. Adding to his many personal agendas, Proton is yet another that has irked Mahathir no end, that he has gone against Prime Minister Najib Razak. Najib’s 2014 National Automotive Policy was about promoting a competitive and sustainable industry for all local car companies. In other words, Proton lost some of its ridiculous government protectionist policies under Najib’s leadership.
A leading news portal, The Establishment Post, could not have been more right when it said that Perodua beats Proton hands down in quality and reliability. Proton reached its pinnacle long ago. Its glory days are gone. Proton is at a point where it can go no further. Sorry Dr M, but Proton deserves no more chances.
Tajuddin Rosli is an FMT reader.
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