He added that the strategies would be implemented to competitively position Proton among the other established car makers and coupled with the launching of an upper-end sedan model this year with the improved economic outlook, the higher target sales would be realistic.
He said "We'll unveil new models towards the second half of this year to attract customers and excite the car industry amid the competitve market. The company sold 14,485 units or 14 per cent increase last month as compared with 10,134 units in the same period last year, driven by strong sales of Proton Saga, Proton Persona and Proton Exora. Proton Edar was confident of consolidating its 257 outlets, including outlets under Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd and authorised dealers, to 191 by year-end.”
In fact, he added that the rationalization exercise would help to ensure that all Proton dealers would enjoy better profitability. On top of that, new and existing customers too will be able to enjoy better benefits as a stronger network would bring about improved services. He also aid that the increase of the OPR (Overnight Policy Rate) would surely affect car sales as currently the market has for the past 20 years enjoyed lower rates.
He said “The hike in OPR towards the second half of this year was sensitive to the industry as banks would start tightening lending criteria while household finances become fragile following lower disposable income. We know the government is very supportive to the local auto industry. The co-relation between the performance of car industry and economic growth is very close,"
{mosimage}
{mosimage}
{mosimage}
{mosimage}
{mosimage}
{mosimage}
{mosimage}
{mosimage}
