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.

Preve Preve Preve Preve

CFE under the bonnet

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: Proton chief stylist Azlan Othman on the P3-21A

The best way to design a car is by peering into a crystal ball because a car is a long term product. For example, the P3-21A that will be launched soon was designed in 2009 because it takes about two years and millions of engineering, development and testing hours to bring the design from sketches and models to mass production.

Once launched, the P3-21A will have to stay interesting, attractive and sellable for the next five years, that is until 2017.

Proton Chief Stylist, Azlan Othman has no crystal ball but relies on a lot of marketing research, customer feedback and his own inspiration to guide the design team towards the new car and he says the aim is to come up with a timeless design.

In the first video we see him sketch the key design features of the P3-21A adn how they may be developed into the future Proton style.



In the second video the designer described the different stages of the design process and how they arrived at the current car.

Proton releases four videos of P3-21A

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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

VIDEO: What's so special the new Proton P3-21A

What we have here is a series of short videos with Dr Wolfgang Eppel, Senior Director (Quality) at Proton,  He was BMW's quality man and overlooked the development of the E39 5-series and E-90 3-series so he knows a bit or two about car quality.

VIDEO: Proton P3-21A caught testing on the NKVE

From the sound of the chase car's stressed engine note, it appears that the P3 was driving at quite a clip and could have easily dumped the chasing vehicle. After all it has a 1.6-litre turbo engine under the bonnet.

Not Selling Lotus...

Well, that is to say no decision have yet to be made to sell the iconic British sportscar maker and automotive engineeering powerhouse.

Apparently all this talk of being sold have hit morale in Norwich and Proton Managing Director, Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Tahir made assurances that they are still committed to Lotus, but it all depends on what the new shareholders have to say about it.

Of course the real fate of Lotus will depend very much on what the new owners have to say and DRB-Hicom is expected to pass all the administrative hurdles by March.

Repeated queries to DRB about Proton has been met with the same answer, they will make the decisions after completing the purchase and receiving full information about Proton and all its businesses.

Meanwhile in Europe it appears as if Lotus chief, Danny Bahar is already making alternative plans, evidenced by various reports that he is looking for a new investor in the company.

We will keep you posted on the latest development in Proton-DRB as it happens.

We have excerpts from the Malaysian Insider's story with Syed Zainal

SCOOP: Full info of the P3-21A - to include on-board mobile internet

All info leaked by Blog Proton Sales 

Now we know that the Yes 4G box set up in front of Lot 10 shopping centre is to prepare the market for an internet capable Proton and according to this list of options, the P3 will enjoy Yes 4G mobile internet with nationwide coverage (not sure if Yes is nationwide for now)

Accessories 

1. Auto fold/unfold side mirror –
2. Auto Off Rear Demister – 
3. Follow Home Lamp
4. Headlamp Warning Buzzer
5. Trunk Remote Release
6. Front & rear socket 12V – 
7. Front & Rear Fog Lamp
8. Anti-Trap Power Windor 
9. Seat Material – 
10. Smart Info Display (SID) –
11. Autolock & advance lock system
12. Magnisium Inside Door Handle
13. Keyless Entry – 
14. BOSCH Head-Unit – 
15. YES WiFi Modem – 
16. S Mode (Sport) – 
17. BCM – 

SAFETY :

1. 4 Wheel ABS & EBD with 4 Wheel Disc Brake
2. TC (Traction Control)
3. ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
4. BA (Braking Assist)
5. 4 AIRBAG – 
6. 5 STARS Australia NCAP –

DIMENSION
Length = 4.543m
Width = 1.786m
Height = 1.524m

CHASSIS
Boot Space: 508 litre
Turning Radius: 5.3m
Full Tank Capacity: 50 litre
Aerodynamic (rintangan angin): Cd Factor = 0.30

POWERTRAIN
1.6 CFE with 7speed Pro-Tronic CVT3 (VVT)
0-100km/h: 9.6 saat
- Untuk perbandingan, Kia Forte 1.6 12.5 saat

VARIANT
Executive MT, 1.6 IAFM+ 5-Speed MT
Executive CVT, 1.6 IAFM+ 6-Speed CVT
Premuim CVT, 1.6 CFE 7-Speed CVT

COLOR
Solid White
Tranquility Black
Genetic Silver
Fire Red 
Blue Lagoon

PRICE
RM65,000 – RM75,000

Auto Cruise
Keyless Push Start (ON/OFF) 
Magnesium Paddle Shift 7-speed & Manual Mode (+/-) di gear column
Audio Switch Steering Control
Soft touch plastic dashboard
Emblem at Steering Wheel 
ISOFIX
Rain Sensor
Light Sensor
Front LED day light 
Sport Rim 16″ (10 Spoke)
Multi-link rear suspension

BIASISWA PROTON UNTUK 30 PELAJAR IPTA DAN IPTS

SHAH ALAM,  14 Februari 2012 – Seramai 30 orang pelajar hari ini dianugerahkan biasiswa daripada syarikat pengeluar kereta nasional PROTON, bagi melanjutkan pelajaran dalam jurusan kejuruteraan, perakaunan, ekonomi dan komunikasi ke 14 institusi pengajian tinggi awam dan swasta yang terpilih di seluruh negara.

Penyampaian biasiswa tersebut telah disempurnakan oleh Penasihat PROTON, YABhg. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad dalam satu majlis yang diadakan hari ini. Turut hadir di majlis penyampaian biasiswa tersebut ialah YBhg Dato’ Sri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, Pengerusi PROTON, YBhg Dato’ Jaafar Indot selaku Pengerusi YAYASAN PROTON, dan Encik Suhaimi Sulong, Pengarah Kumpulan Sumber Manusia PROTON.

Sebanyak RM 2 juta telah diperuntukkan oleh YAYASAN PROTON, bagi membiayai kos pengajian kesemua 30 pelajar yang terpilih ke peringkat Ijazah Sarjana Muda. Jumlah peruntukan ini juga merangkumi yuran pengajian keseluruhan, elaun sara hidup, elaun buku dan tempat tinggal.

VIDEO: Three days of Rally of Sweden

Thanks to MotorsportFunCyprus2 for uploading these footages from MotorsTV

VIDEO: Proton Satria New S2000 in Rally of Sweden

The Satria Neo sounded good  and looked rock steady in the hands of P-G Andersson, the local boy who took the car to the top spot of the WRC race in Sweden and 12th overall.

Video after the jump

Proton takes first SWRC victory

• P-G Andersson won SWRC with 3-minute advantage
• Sticky damper almost meant sticky end on second day
• 12th Overall is highest position for P-G in home rally

DRAMATIC  WEEKEND: Bitter cold and powdery snow

conditions made the Rally of Sweden challenging with multiple

World Champion Sebastian Loeb crashing on the first day and 

the eventual winner Jari-Matti Latvala almost lost his lead with 

a puncture in the late stages on the final day. 

After seeing their chance of the first victory snatched from their grasp after stumbling at the last SS in Monte Carlo, the Proton SWRC team took no chances and was handsomely rewarded in the bitter cold of the Rally of Sweden with victory in the SWRC category and a respectable 12th spot overall.

P-G Andersson did not waste any time building up a lead in his home rally and found a two minute advantage by the end of day one and added another minute by the end of the second day.

Andersson made it look easy but the treacherous snowy conditions and bitter cold (temperatures dropped to -40 Celsius at times adn threatened to freeze everything) took its toll on all the teams and their cars. The Proton Satria Neo S2000 began losing confidence at the start of day two with the tail wiggling loose in the snow.

This saw Ford's Craig Breeen make the best of the situation and closed the gap by a few seconds in the first few stages of day two.

Breen was keen to make up lost ground, the result of a shattered rake disc that forced them to make and unscheduled stop in the middle of an SS to remove the damaged disc and caliper and soldier on with three brakes.

Full story and Result Table after the jump. There is also a video to recap Proton's test day before the weekend event.

Proton plus Yes 4G: Whats gonna happen on Feb 22?

Not sure what's gonna happen but Proton's fracebook page has put up something and there is this box near Lot 10...

maybe they will give Malaysians a seak peek of the P3...but what has that got to do with Yes 4G....hmmmm

the clot thickens

MY PROTON MAKEOVER’S PERFECT ANNIVERSARY GIFT FOR WINNING COUPLE

SUBANG JAYA, 10 February 2012 – PROTON Holdings Berhad today announced the fourth winner of the “My PROTON Makeover” programme, Salina Hisham, who receives a complete makeover of her Satria GTi from the R3 unit of PROTON Motorsports.

This programme was rooted in-line with PROTON’s “Committed to be better” brand promise that reflects PROTON’s efforts at improvement, particularly towards quality and customer care by acknowledging and rewarding faithful customers of PROTON who have supported the national car maker over the last 26 years.

The elated Science Officer from Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru had submitted a photo-entry featuring two Satrias belonging to her and her husband - which ultimately received the thumbs up from judges. “I received the phone call from PROTON in December informing me that the photo entry that I submitted for the makeover had won, but was not really sure which car they were referring to as the photo had both our cars in it.”

P3-21A Specs leaked by Tun Mahathir, and they are impressive

The Proton P3-21A has been leaking out of Proton like there is a worn out gasket and it is now all over the internet. Not enough with the leaked photos, Proton adviser, Tun Dr Mahathir joined in the the fun and spilled the beans on the specifications of the new car.

Proton is expected to launch the model in March and they are either playing a great game of leak the car to stir up huge market excitement or doing a terrible job keeping a secret.

Given that car makers of today have developed a propensity of leaking their own industrial secrets as a way of easing a model into the market, I am of the opinion that Proton is playing the leak game, well done.

Interest in the P3 is now at fever pitch and more Malaysians are now waiting impatiently for the March date so they can finally clap their eyes on the car.

Our man inside Proton says that the specifications leaked by Tun Mahathir is spot on but there are still a few surprises left up their sleeve. He told me what they were and I can tell you that they are working in the right direction with the P3.

Here is what we know about the P3 so far, thanks to TDM and after that is a collection of spyshots, some more revealing than others

5. The other day I test drove their latest model on the test track at Shah Alam. I can verify and assure Proton customers and Malaysians generally that this new model can match any of the Japanese or European quality cars. It was such a pleasure to drive. A foreign friend who knows cars, tested the car and says it is up to the standard of the up-market cars from Europe.
6. This car uses hot press steel body which is stronger than cold press. It has a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine equal to a 2.0 liter engine power. The engine complies with Euro-five standards.
7. A whole list of feature has been incorporated. This includes Vehicle Seek Lamp, Wiper Auto Speed, Auto side door folding mirror, Push Button Start / Stop, Sensors for Automatic Wiper and Headlamp and GPS Antenna for Navigation System.
8. Additionally it has Impact Sensing Door Lock, Continuous Variable Transmission, Security Alarm System, Immobiliser and Central Locking.
9. The automatic version has Shift Lever with Tiptronic Mode and Paddle Shifter on Steering Wheel for seven gear changes. ABS to prevent skidding and BA (Brake Assist) to increase brake pedal force.
10. There are many others features which enhances the performance of the engine and driveability of the car.
11. There will be several models with less features than I describe. But they are all superior to the other Proton cars.
12. Naturally the price would be higher though probable cheaper than imports with similar features and quality.
13. I believe this is a great car and Proton can be proud of it. Malaysians can be proud of it too. The extra Ringgit you have to spend will be worth it.
14. The car will be available in three months time.

Profile is more fastback than pure saloon,
this will give it a more youthful appearance

Ideas from various contemporary design has permeated the
P3-21A's rear design, let's hope the front is coherent with
this modern clean styling.

Luckily, the front is also quite neat but is it too simple
when compared to the unique surfaces and lines of
modern Japanese and Korean cars?

BTW this appears to be the picture closest to the production model 

An earlier photograph, 

In the wild the P3's profile is quite unique

The dashboard seems to be cleanly designed and logically
laid out with the radio on top and air-cond controls lower down
An I am glad to see sensibly sized buttons on the stereo controls.

One friend was more impressed with the interior than exterior
of the P3-21A.

PROTON SPONSORS LE TOUR DE LANGKAWI FOR THE 17TH YEAR RUNNING

SUBANG JAYA, 3 FEBRUARY 2012 – PROTON will once again be in the thick of the action when the 17th edition of cycling’s prestigious Le Tour de Langkawi 2012 kicks off later this month.
Extending its support and sponsorship for the 17th successive year, the national car manufacturer today presented a mock-key and the symbolic Blue Jersey to the organizer of the Le Tour de Langkawi 2012 at a brief ceremony held at the PROTON Centre of Excellence in Subang Jaya.

PROTON has been a sponsor of the prestigious international race for the last 16 years since it was first held in 1996. This year’s sponsorship of the tour will be of a fleet of vehicles, as well as in terms of technical support, maintenance, manpower and merchandise giveaways during the cavalcade.

Proton-Lotus: To sell or not to sell?

Earlier today, I was asked by cable news channel Astro Awani to comment on the likelihood of Lotus being sold by DRB-Hicom, the new owner of Malaysian carmaker Proton so I told them that any consideration for selling Lotus should be made after considering the British icon in three distinct parts.

This breakdown of Lotus into its three major components is probably the best way to evaluate what Lotus is all about, how to get about taking full advantage of the company and determine whether if any or all of the components are worth holding on to.

If we do not break down the company and have a clear understanding of the components, there is a very high likelihood that Lotus could be misconstrued a major drain on company resources and add nothing to Proton. I think Lotus is a wonderful asset but Proton and DRB need to take a fresh perspective as to what Lotus is.

VIDEO: A short analysis of DRB-Proton deal

This is a video of the discussion between our Editor, Shamsul Yunos on Astro Awani Agenda on Jan 16.

NOTE: This discussion was conducted in Bahasa Malaysia