PETALING JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd recorded better earnings for the first quarter ended June 30 (Q1) year-on-year due to higher sales and better product mix.
The national car maker’s net profit surged 55.2% to RM84.7mil in Q1 versus RM54.5mil in the same quarter last year. Revenue rose 23.6% to RM2.29bil against RM1.85mil.
Proton said in a filing to the stock exchange that in line with the improved market sentiments, its domestic sales volume grew 17% due to demand for its three core models - Saga, Persona and Exora.
“The group will intensify its marketing initiatives for the current product offerings as well as refreshers and new models to increase sales volume.
“Internationally, the group will focus on improving sales volume through planned launches of its core models in key markets,” it said.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Proton saga for taxi model??
Back in May this year Datuk Noh Omar (and his Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development) suggested that Proton develop a new vehicle designed to be used as a taxi similiar to the London Black Cab. The whole idea is that the Malaysian taxi system switch to this new standardized model rather than having multiple models like the Proton Saga, Proton Waja, Naza Citra, Renault Espace, Proton Perdana and even premium Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Cefiro taxis. According to Datuk Noh, this will help “standardize the image of taxis” in Malaysia.
Proton will be looking into the feasibility of the request and if possible, the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development will help “ensure take-up”. Ideally the taxi should also have a factory-fitted NGV system rather than with current taxis which have to retrofit the NGV system as an aftermarket addition to the car. In cars with smaller boots like the Iswara, the NGV tanks can take up a significant amount of boot space depending on the size of the NGV gas tank.
Firstly, the London Black Cab is only used in London. The rest of the UK, or rather the rest of the world uses conventional 4 door sedans or minivans as taxis. Do we really need Proton’s financial records to be plagued with yet another model that has a limited market?
Consumers purchase different types of cars for different needs, so taxis should use different models for different needs as well. A large and heavier taxi with lots of boot space and passenger room powered by a larger engine to move around with that extra capacity will be going around town wasting unnecessary petrol (or NGV) if it carries only one passenger on short trips most of the time.
A much better idea would be for Proton to offer a new taxi based on the new Proton Saga (sources inside Proton say one with a factory-fitted NGV system and a possible upgrade to a 1.6 liter engine is under development) for the purpose of short trips. Longer trips that require more passenger and luggage space can be serviced by larger models converted for taxi purposes like the Kia Rondo Taxi that we saw last year. It can be supplied by Naza Kia Sdn Bhd when it updates the Citra to the next generation Rondo. Just remove the option for the 3rd row of seats and use it for luggage.
On the matter of improving the images of taxis in Malaysia, the government can support this transition to the new models mentioned above by offering financial assistance and loans to taxi drivers for them to be able to afford the upgrade to a new generation of taxis easily. And while we’re at it, cut out the middlemen and give the taxi licenses to the people actually running the taxi services!
There is really no need to waste money and time on the R&D and production of a new specialised single taxi model that will serve nothing more than an ego boost to be able to say that we have our London Black Cab equivalent. It will be the case of the Eye on Malaysia emulating the London Eye all over again.
Proton will be looking into the feasibility of the request and if possible, the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development will help “ensure take-up”. Ideally the taxi should also have a factory-fitted NGV system rather than with current taxis which have to retrofit the NGV system as an aftermarket addition to the car. In cars with smaller boots like the Iswara, the NGV tanks can take up a significant amount of boot space depending on the size of the NGV gas tank.
Firstly, the London Black Cab is only used in London. The rest of the UK, or rather the rest of the world uses conventional 4 door sedans or minivans as taxis. Do we really need Proton’s financial records to be plagued with yet another model that has a limited market?
Consumers purchase different types of cars for different needs, so taxis should use different models for different needs as well. A large and heavier taxi with lots of boot space and passenger room powered by a larger engine to move around with that extra capacity will be going around town wasting unnecessary petrol (or NGV) if it carries only one passenger on short trips most of the time.
A much better idea would be for Proton to offer a new taxi based on the new Proton Saga (sources inside Proton say one with a factory-fitted NGV system and a possible upgrade to a 1.6 liter engine is under development) for the purpose of short trips. Longer trips that require more passenger and luggage space can be serviced by larger models converted for taxi purposes like the Kia Rondo Taxi that we saw last year. It can be supplied by Naza Kia Sdn Bhd when it updates the Citra to the next generation Rondo. Just remove the option for the 3rd row of seats and use it for luggage.
On the matter of improving the images of taxis in Malaysia, the government can support this transition to the new models mentioned above by offering financial assistance and loans to taxi drivers for them to be able to afford the upgrade to a new generation of taxis easily. And while we’re at it, cut out the middlemen and give the taxi licenses to the people actually running the taxi services!
There is really no need to waste money and time on the R&D and production of a new specialised single taxi model that will serve nothing more than an ego boost to be able to say that we have our London Black Cab equivalent. It will be the case of the Eye on Malaysia emulating the London Eye all over again.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Proton's new KPIs achievable
The new headline key performance indicators (KPIs) announced by Proton Holdings Bhd is achievable as the company is already making steady inroads, especially in market share expansion and exports, according to MIDF Research.
New models planned, including the new Waja which is expected to make its debut in the coming months, will push the national carmaker's market share and revenue growth, it said in a
research note today.
"The mainstay of Proton's products remains the Saga and Exora and we expect it to remain as such for the foreseeable future," said MIDF Research, part of MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd.
The new models are expected to open up greater sales opportunities that would translate into better market share and provide the boost to the company's revenue growth, it said.
Proton announced yesterday that it was targeting to achieve 20 per cent growth in revenue for the financial year ending March 31, 2011, under its headline KPIs.
Contribution of export sales to revenue is set to be 8.4 per cent while the domestic market share for passenger vehicle segment is targeted to grow at 33 per cent.
MIDF Research said Proton's current export markets are the African nations, the Middle East and countries in Asia Pacific region, including Australia.
"Proton is seen to stand a fair chance to convince Chinese buyers if they managed to sort out the pricing and product quality as the competition is stiff in China," it said.
According to MIDF Research, there are no major earnings surprises expected for the current financial year.
"Sales is improving, rising 18 per cent year-on-year to 80,126 units for first half 2010 with market improving to cross the 30 per cent level," it said. -- Bernama
New models planned, including the new Waja which is expected to make its debut in the coming months, will push the national carmaker's market share and revenue growth, it said in a
research note today.
"The mainstay of Proton's products remains the Saga and Exora and we expect it to remain as such for the foreseeable future," said MIDF Research, part of MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd.
The new models are expected to open up greater sales opportunities that would translate into better market share and provide the boost to the company's revenue growth, it said.
Proton announced yesterday that it was targeting to achieve 20 per cent growth in revenue for the financial year ending March 31, 2011, under its headline KPIs.
Contribution of export sales to revenue is set to be 8.4 per cent while the domestic market share for passenger vehicle segment is targeted to grow at 33 per cent.
MIDF Research said Proton's current export markets are the African nations, the Middle East and countries in Asia Pacific region, including Australia.
"Proton is seen to stand a fair chance to convince Chinese buyers if they managed to sort out the pricing and product quality as the competition is stiff in China," it said.
According to MIDF Research, there are no major earnings surprises expected for the current financial year.
"Sales is improving, rising 18 per cent year-on-year to 80,126 units for first half 2010 with market improving to cross the 30 per cent level," it said. -- Bernama
Monday, August 9, 2010
Its not easy being Taxi Driver in Johor Bahru
In
First, if you are to the use of the device, your smile, roll their eyes in disbelief or passengers. The MR costs $ 2 departure, set 13 years ago, not even enough to buy you a plate of chicken rice. The additional fee of 10sen/200m is equally incredulous. cheap cheap!
And if you punish the most natural thing, something to turn off the meter and flat rate is, you can, if they are caught. In a particularly irritating day, you have a passenger from
Price aside, there are the nagging questions that makes things even more difficult for a taxi driver in Johor Bahru.
There are few taxis in Johor Bahru away. You are taking a pause passenger side of the road. Suddenly someone knocks on your window - The man in white. The traffic police, the force of law or fact or a wink to you. However, you can be sure that your whole day is gone.
On clear days (when there is no man-in-White), undercover officers of the Council of Johor Bahru Transport Board can also give your car and do a spot check on you. If you do not wear a white shirt with long sleeves, or when taxi is not very clean, you risk a fine. Or, you can ignore.
And if people do not legitimate for you, you might have a chance with this kind of lawlessness. Johor Bahru unenviable about a crime.
Human factors aside, there's even more irritating questions that add to the difficulty.
The Proton Saga drive hardly seems like a good place to work, especially when you look across the street and taxi drivers in Singapore are the 2000cc engine Hyundai Sonata, Skoda and Toyota Camry the same. You get a terrible cramp leg of the clutch and back pain poor suspension. The windows are not tinted, and your right arm is similar to a driver of the trailer.
It gets worse at night. With the exception of the main roads, the roads are not lit well and work hard you really distinguish between a passenger in a
Once in 10 years, notes Mr. PJB Johor Bahru City Council or a big project. For example, the new CIQ Johor Bahru Wong Ah Fook Jalan throws all into confusion. You're confused, fear and helplessness. For a few days, ask for no passengers in sight. The only consolation? You are not the only one affected.
After mentioning that some of the bad things, a taxi driver in Johor Bahru, there is something positive to report. Mm .. Parking is expensive!
A new Proton Saga facelift spotted
Proton gave us the second generation Proton Saga back in early 2008 and it was easily the most anticipated car ever during that period of time, as everyone expected it to be the most affordable Proton sedan one could buy, given the Saga’s positioning.
Following a 5 year lifecycle, we should be able to expect the third generation Saga in late 2012 or early 2013 but before that it’s time for a mid-life facelift sometime this year or next year, which will hopefully revise the model line-up to include a model with dual airbags like available on the 25th anniversary special edition.
In any case, it’s about time that we see taped up facelifted Proton Sagas running around, like this one here snapped by reader Victor while exiting the Bukit Jelutong toll entering the NKVE. At the front we can see that Proton has given it the family grille with the horizontal bar that’s found on the Persona and the Exora.
The rear end also looks different. The Saga that’s currently available has tail lamps that position the signal lamp on top, so the upper most part of the tail lamp is clear. Fortunately in one of these photos we can see the car braking so it shows that the brake lights have been moved to the area where the signal lamp previously occupied.
Following a 5 year lifecycle, we should be able to expect the third generation Saga in late 2012 or early 2013 but before that it’s time for a mid-life facelift sometime this year or next year, which will hopefully revise the model line-up to include a model with dual airbags like available on the 25th anniversary special edition.
The rear end also looks different. The Saga that’s currently available has tail lamps that position the signal lamp on top, so the upper most part of the tail lamp is clear. Fortunately in one of these photos we can see the car braking so it shows that the brake lights have been moved to the area where the signal lamp previously occupied.
NEW PROTON SAGA SPECIAL EDITION
PROTON already launched a special edition of its Frost & Sullivan’s Best Model of the year 2009, the SAGA Special Edition which features new enhancements on 8 July 2009. Special about Saga SE? Lets take a look. Is it so special? For us, it is looks like a Saga with set of bodykits.
Our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the Proton SAGA SE, a premium and sporty variant to the existing model and also Proton Exora manual edition in the Felda Settlers day or Hari Peneroka celebrations at Felda Labis.The pepole who live in Felda Labis are so lucky because they can see the the new model in front of them.
For the engine, the new Proton Saga SE still using the 1.3 liter Campro IAFM engine that is found in the rest of the Saga BLM.Except for the 1.6 for the taxi.The SAGA SE is estimated to be sold at RM43,000 for manual and RM45,500 for the automatic variants respectively. It is now available for booking for RM500, but the cars will only however be available for sale at all Proton Edar and EON showrooms from the 15th of August 2009 onwards.
So, what is the special about Proton Saga SE? Below are the details that will make you see it clearly.Proton should put more enhancements to make it to be more special right?
- Two colours offered – brilliant red or solid white handsomely dressed up with stylish black finishing roof top.
- A new front grille with black finish.
- New front, rear and side skirts.
- Leather seats, door trim and wrapped steering wheel.
- Dark chrome air-conditioning vents.
- Pearl white meter panel finishing.
- CD player with MP3 support.
Product enhancements are a continuous process in PROTON to offer more value to their customers. The launch of the new SAGA SE is aimed to excite new buyers and make them view the car as their first choice. They also said that the new SAGA SE was targeted to the youngsters who want to be different.
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