Proton expects to complete consolidation of plants by year-end

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SHAH ALAM: Proton Holdings Bhd expects to complete the consolidation of its two plants by year-end, said group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

Proton has two manufacturing plants in Shah Alam, Selangor and Tanjung Malim, Perak.

“Currently, feasibility studies are going on. We expect to finalise them by year-end,” he told reporters at Proton’s 2010 Family Day celebration held in conjunction with its 25th year anniversary here today.

Syed Zainal, however, did not reveal details.

The Tanjung Malim manufacturing plant, which is five times larger than the Shah Alam plant, is capable of producing multi-model products on a common line, allowing flexibility in production change to meet the changing market demands.

Meanwhile, Syed Zainal said, Proton would participate in the 2010 International Geneva Motor Show for the first time.

The annual show, held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva, is one of the most important on the automotive firms’ calendar as all the major carmakers will be there.

“We have come of age and the participation shows that the Proton brand is growing,” he said.

He said Proton would use the seven-seater Exora multi-purpose vehicle to penetrate the Middle East market in the second quarter of this year.

“Currently, the Exora, which was launched in April 2009, is in Brunei, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. And 2,300 units have been sold in Asean alone,” he said.

Syed Zainal said Proton has received 38,000 bookings for the Exora and 24,000 units were on the road.

The Exora is priced from RM72,000 to RM76,000.

He said the Exora has beaten its competitors and this was a good barometer.

Earlier, Proton adviser, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said the company has taken the lead in the local market again in its sales volume.

“Be more innovative, think out of the box. It’s not only about changing the shape of the car but also changing performances,” he said after launching the Family Day. —Bernama

The Family Day, held for the first time, attracted more than 10,000 family members and staff. — Bernama