MOTORSPORT: One weekend, three podiums for Proton - but does it mean anything to sales?

 Proton Motorsport had a fantastic weekend, getting on three different podiums on a single weekend,
clinching second in the Super 2000 WRC round of Great Britain, taking all three top spots in the 2WD category of the APRC, Japan round and winning the Malaysian Super Series championship with one round to go.

While Proton won all three events they took part in, critics at home are saying that this may not be any great shakes if the victories do not result in extra sales. After all you race and win on Sunday for the purpose of selling cars on Monday.

Leading automotive blogger Paul Tan tweeted this and it was later picked up by Hezeri Samsuri, the editor of Top Gear Malaysia and a discussion ensued on Facebook.

Proton's motorsports victories should be put to better use by the company's marketing team to give a much needed halo to their product line-up otherwise all that money and effort would simply go to waste.

Motorsport is not cheap but it can be justified if it leads to better brand positioning and improved sales.

For example Toyota and Hyundai-Kia are hardly known for their motorsport victories but they are selling more cars than anybody and Hyundai Kia continues to grow at a fast pace.

Citroen on the other hand is dominating WRC and parent company PSA is doing so badly that they plan to or will lay off more than 16,000 employees and the company's stock has been taken out of the CAC40 index calculation because it was dragging down the French market.

DRB-Hicom, which paid RM3 billion for Proton is under a lot of pressure both from the board as well as the public.

The board wants to see Proton turned around and start pumping profit into the group's coffers while the public wants to see a more dynamic company producing better and more exciting products.

The reality is that the doctor thinks the patient needs to rest and recuperate and reorganise itself and during this period we will probably see minimal activity, other than those actions which would result in immediate improvement in the companys' health will be put on hold.

Insiders say this process can take between one and half year to two years.

Anyway, read the Press Release to enjoy the full result of Proton's motorsport victories this weekend.






POST-EVENT RELEASE: PROTON CELEBRATES A SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND OF MOTORSPORTS

September 17, 2012
PROTON R3 Motorsports celebrated podium finishes across three countries in an epic motorsports weekend which saw the Proton Satria Neo participate in the World Rally Championship (SWRC) in Great Britain, the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) in Hokkaido, Japan, and Malaysian Super Series (MSS) at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.



Rally Great Britain (SWRC)

Young Welshman, Tom Cave clinched the second-place spot for Proton R3 Motorsports Rally Team in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship round of Great Britain, driving a Proton Satria Neo S2000 rally car. He drove a well-measured drive in what is only his second outing this year for the PROTON team. It was a far tougher weekend for Super World Rally Championship leader PG Andersson after retiring from the first leg of the rally. Despite this, he managed to put in some impressive stage times after restarting and taking two-stage wins to finish sixth. This result meant PG Andersson extended his lead in the SWRC Championship by eight points with Hayden Paddon from New Zealand sharing joint second-place with Irishman, Craig Breen. The rally was won by Ford Fiesta S2000 driver, Craig Breen with Yazeed Al-Rajhi finishing third in another Ford.



Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) Rally Hokkaido

It was a great outing for the Proton R3 CUSCO Rally Team in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) round of Rally Hokkaido 2012 as the team finished first, second and third in the 2WD category.  Malaysian Rally legend and three-time previous overall winner of the APRC, Karamjit Singh continued his dominance in the 2WD category by winning it outright despite a puncture which lost him almost one and a half minutes. Pushing hard in his 2WD Proton Satria Neo Group N rally car, Karamjit clawed his way back into the lead to take victory and maximum points to extend his 2WD Championship lead.

Karamjit’s Japanese teammate Akira Bamba had much to celebrate also, clinching his second consecutive APRC Junior Championship title after finishing first in the APRC Junior Category and second in 2WD after his closest rival Michael Young from New Zealand crashed out in Leg 1.  Malaysian Junior driver Kenneth Koh rounded of the perfect weekend for the team by finishing second in the Junior category and 3rd 2WD competitor.  Overall, it turned out to be a fantastic weekend for PROTON despite the retirement of both Proton Satria Neo S2000 cars driven by Alister McRae and Juha Salo.

Malaysia Super Series (MSS)

Closer to home, the Proton R3 Race Team pair of Syafiq Ali and James Veerapen clinched the Malaysian Super Series (MSS) at the Sepang International Circuit with one round to go in their Proton R3 Satria race cars.  The team started out strong and was aiming for its fourth successive Malaysian Touring Car Class 2 category win.  By lap 12 of the one-hour race and leading the MTC 2 class, James Veerapen was knocked off the track into the gravel by another competitor at turn 12 but got underway again thanks to the quick action of the track marshals. Despite having lost plenty of time in that incident, the team made a strong comeback to finish in fourth and clinching the Championship with an unassailable 70 point lead.

Be Seen Stay Safe - Yamaha launches motorcycle safety campaign

During the festive season, our roads are packed with cars and motorcycles and as a result, road accident statistics usually shoot up during this period. The Government through the police usually launch their road safety and enforcement campaign called 'Ops Sikap' but they always welcome additional efforts to encourage motorists to stay safe.

Motorcyclists tend to be over represented in road accident statistics so Yamaha is making special effort to get riders to stay safe and one of the easiest way for a motorcyclist to stay safe is to be seen.

Jointly organised with the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association, they have broken down the message to six simple to understand points, which are;

1. Avoid blind spot of other vehicles, 
2. Stay visible -Motorcyclist has to be always visible to other road users. 
3. Make sure the head and tail lights are functioning to help motorcyclist stay visible at night and day plus in adverse weather condition. 
4. Wear bright and reflective riding wear - this will definitely help riders stay visible. Bright clothing and use reflective material is particularly useful at night.
5. Keep a good distance from other vehicles. This is to avoid the risk for the motorcyclist not stopping in time due to emergency braking.

The campaign also offers free 15-point safety check of motorcycles at the following time and location

Date / Day	Location		Venue
31 Jul. Tuesday	Selangor		Sungai Besi, Toll Plaza (South Bound)
01 Aug.  Wednesday	Melaka		Kompleks Duyung, Semabok
02 Aug. Thursday	Johor		Padang Kampung Abdullah, Segamat
08 Aug. Wednesday	Perak		Menara Condong, Teluk Intan
09 Aug. Thursday	Penang		Komplek Sukan SONY, Seberang Jaya
10 Aug. Friday	Kedah		Tapak Gerai Makan, Stadium Darul Aman

Press release after the jump

VIDEO: The mystery of hot press forming unveiled

You know how Proton keeps talking about hot forming press, well this video shows us is what it looks like, the die-cut steel are heated to about 900 degrees Celsius before it is placed in a stamping machine. The die are water cooled to about five degrees celsius and this allows the metal to be quenched or rapidly cooled and in the process, the molecules bond more tightly and adhere to the new shape. This makes the stamped part three times stronger.....

We may get to see Proton's own automated hot press forming line in Tanjung Malim soon....we are working on it... but for now watch this video

VIDEO: VW reveals ASEAN plans and their global goal of being number one

Being number one is tough, staying number one is even tougher, this was why Toyota was never keenb to claim the top spot because it meant everyone would be gunning after them.

However VW does want to be the world's biggest carmaker in the next three to four years. IN order to achieve that goal they are going to have to find at least a million extra sales in a year.

In order to do that , VW has to grow in all markets, especially fast growing, developing and emerging markets like South East Asia.

According to Weiming Soh, VW Board Member and head of China and Asean operations they are looking at 200,000 units annually and Malaysia is contributing 50,000 to the equation.

It seems that some of that volume will come from the Pekan plant.

VIDEO: What exactly did DRB-Hicom say about rebadging for Proton

Well, here is a video of DRB-Hicom boss, Datuk Seri Khamil Jamil answering the question of rebadging cars for Proton. We even have VW AG Board Member and head of China and Asean operations, Weiming Soh talking about VW sharing technology with Proton adn DRB...


BTW, Soh was the person named in the story about a meeting between DRB-Hicom Chief Operating Officer, Datuk Lokman Ibrahim in Hing Kong recently

Colorado in Malaysia

The Chevrolet Colorado is probably the most exciting looking pick-up truck likely to be sold in Malaysia and if these pictures are to be believed, they are here and the launch is imminent.

We picked these photos up from paultan who got it from one of their readers.

Malaysia F1 season kicks off

Here are some pictures of the launch of the Formula One season in Malaysia this year. Tun Dr Mahathir helped to kick off the festivities, as he has always done since the first race.

To see the full album, please click HERE

BMW F10 M5 to land on March 10

The BMW M5 is a legend in its own lifetime and the legend will be reborn on March 10 when the all-new F10 BMW M5 is expected to be launched in Malaysia, making us one of the first market to enjoy right-hand drive versions of this well dressed monster.

With every new M5, BMW blows the minds of keen drivers everywhere and it seems they have done it again with this car so you know that there are many fans waiting for this car.

BMW Malaysia sent e-mails to customers informing them of the launch but did not give any indication of the expected price. Given that the previous model went for RM888,000 and usually new cars get a price hike of between 10 and 15 per cent, expect the new boy to retail for anywhere between RM960K to RM1.2 million.

BMW M5 fly and drive video after the jump

World's first hybrid scooter, and it's from Malaysia

From Dengkil to be specific, apparently the company is all set up and the factory is in place, we will get in touch with them soon and get more details, in the meantime enjoy these video

2011 Malaysian MotoGP hillstand B and F sold out

MALAYSIAN MotoGP set to achieve record breaking numbers again this year

Tickets for F Grandstand and B Hillstand all sold out yesterday with only 8 days to go till the action heats up

THE Shell Advance Malaysian MotoGP is set to achieve record breaking numbers again after the organisers, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) announced that all F Grandstand and B Hillstand has been sold out by yesterday.

“As of the end of yesterday, we are pleased to announce that all the tickets for F Grandstand and B Hillstand have been sold out,” said SIC Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Razlan Razali.

Pre launch news: Pajero Sport to get VGT boost

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a decent SUV but it can use a bit more power and later this month that is exactly what it is getting.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia will be introducing the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT, a new variant of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport next week.
The Pajero Sport VGT 2.5-litre Common Rail diesel engine will be fitted with a new powerhouse management that includes Variable Geometric Turbocharger, boosting power and torque to a significantly higher level respectively.

TTW joins Goodyear Malaysia Drift Team

Veteran drift driver on the 2011 team roster 

Top drift competitor Tan Tat Wei or TTW as he is better known, is now officially with the Goodyear Malaysia 2011 Drift Team.
He has made quite a name for himself in the regional drift scene, scoring an impressive 73.7 at the Singapore 2011 Formula Drift and winning the competition.
“It is truly an honor and pleasure to be affiliated with Team Goodyear. The association is one that has already begun to create a great deal of opportunity for me and has open many doors since I first joined them eight months ago.

BEWARE: New bridge-mounted speedtrap cameras and their location

I am all for fixed speed cameras in dangerous locations, as long as the public is informed of their location and sufficient warning is given with signboards and other means, after all speedtraps are put in place to make our roads safer and not make money, right?

If motorists are still stupid enough to break the speed limit even after they have been warned, then they deserve every cent of fine imposed on them.

For the full list of locations of speedtraps in the country please follow the jump -  (not verified lah, just somethign I picked up on facebook  but still it is good to slow down at these locations, if for nothing other than to keep yourself safe)

Thanks Bobo for the tip

KIA records 150 orders during Penang Test Drive roadshow

The Kia Forte took the lead in terms of bookings and it is followed by the stunning all-new Kia-Sportage, as customers put their money down on this well-specified compact SUV.

During the week, 855 potential customers took part in the test drive and with 150 orders, they achieved an impressive conversion rate of 16.6 per cent.

Bear in mind that online conversion rate is a tiny fraction of one per cent while brick and mortar showrooms would be lucky to get five per cent conversion rate.

follow the jump for the rest of the detail in the Press Release