Proton banking on Persona

Proton is the second car seller in the country.

SHAH ALAM: Proton is banking on its latest sedan, the Persona, to restore its position as the No. 1 car company in the country.

The four-door 1.6 sedan, costing between RM44,999 and RM55,800 will replace the Wira model.

Proton Holdings Bhd chairman Datuk Mohammed Azlan Hashim said given the popularity of the long-standing Wira, “extra effort” was put in to ensure that the Persona surpassed customer expectations in terms of value for money, quality and after-sales services.

“God willing, this car can put Proton quickly back on the road to regaining its premier position in the country,” he said yesterday in his welcoming speech at the launch.

Royal presence: The King and Queen looking at the newly launched Persona in Shah Alam on Wednesday. With them are Mohammed Azlan (behind the King) and Proton Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

The Persona, he said, would allow the public to better judge the “resilience and ability of Proton to go forward from this new model onwards.”

Perodua is the top car seller in the country with Proton taking second spot.

Mohammed Azlan said that 2,200 bookings had been received for the Persona over the past three weeks, even before the launch of the car.

“This is a clear indication that the Malaysian public believe Proton can be counted on to deliver all its promises,” he added.

He also said that the company was optimistic its sales target of 30,000 to 40,000 Persona units over the next 12 months could be achieved.

The Persona is available in five variants – the 1.6 base-line auto and manual, 1.6 medium-line auto and 1.6 high-line auto.

Saying that Proton still had a lot to do and learn, Mohammed Azlan added that “we will embrace change where required in a rapidly changing environment.”

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin officiated at the launch of the Persona. Also present was Raja Permaisuri Agung Tuanku Nur Zahirah