According to Datuk Syed Zainal Syed Mohamed Tahir, the Group Managing Director of Proton, with the extra power, it would be almost equivalent to a 2.0cc engine and they are looking to use it to gauge the future of their product lines where it concerns better performance, lower emissions and quality standards. That would surely have many Proton buyers or would be customers to have something to look forward to.
He also added that as anticipated and speculated by more, the Waja replacement model will be launched before the end of the year which is part of their plans to launch a new model. The new Waja is the result of a collaboration with long term partner Mitsubishi Motors. The sentiment in the industry is that the new Waja would be designed based on the currently selling Mitsubishi Lancer. On top of that, he also said that another model will also be given a face lift and will be launched before the year ends.
On pricing, the new Waja would be slightly more expensive than the current version because it will come with more features and is more efficient. He also said that at the moment, the company is in the process of developing their hybrid and electric vehicles. He added that the company is confident that with growing interests from neighbouring countries like China, Thailand and Indonesia, they are confident that their export figures for the current fiscal year would be better than the last and that they should be able to past the 30,000 units mark.
Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, the chairman of Proton also clarified that they have no intention whatsoever and no plans to sell their stake in Lotus Group International Ltd and that they are working towards turning the company around because there are more to gain than to lose to have the supercar brand in their fray.
