ANCAP: Preve a 'safe' purchase

FIVE-STAR RATING: Vehicle scores 34.25 out of 37 possible points from three crash tests in Australia

PROTON Preve's five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) safety rating means it joins many globally renowned models as a car that is recommended by ANCAP to be purchased by consumers given its high safety standard.

The Preve was accorded the star rating after it completed three crash tests (frontal offset, side impact and pole) conducted by independent specialist laboratories in Australia to determine its safety level.

To qualify for ANCAP star ratings, new vehicles are assessed and awarded points collected from a combination of test categories and scientific criteria.

Price the key in race for Proton

KUALA LUMPUR: Over the past few weeks, the market has been keeping a close watch on turns of events at Proton Holdings Bhd.

What initially appeared to be a straightforward race to buy Khazanah Nasional Bhd's 42.7 per cent stake in Proton has now become a four-horse race, with any of four parties - DRB-HICOM Bhd, Naza Group, Sime Darby Bhd and shareholders linked to UMW Holdings Bhd - could end up becoming new major owner of the national carmaker.

A look at the potential suitors shows that all four can do good with Proton's business and take the company to the next level

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DRB-HICOM, controlled by reclusive tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary, is a conglomerate that has businesses in the automotive, financial, property, hospitality and other industries.

For the year ended March 31 2011, it posted a net profit of RM472.47 million (a marginal improvement), while revenue rose by seven per cent to RM6.8 billion.

New spin on Proton shareholder saga

THERE was a shocking rumour again about Proton Holdings Bhd (5304) last week, although many might not be aware of it because they were probably so busy with ketupat, rendang and satay at open houses and other Raya stuff.

The latest round of rumours involving Proton was about the so-called approval given to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary's DRB-HICOM Bhd to take over the national carmaker.

DRB-HICOM, together with several ex-Proton managers, had formally submitted a bid to buy 32 per cent of Proton a year ago, according to a business news portal.

Saga FLX wins Asean recognition

MALAYSIA'S most popular family sedan, Proton Saga FLX, has been awarded three stars in the Asean NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme).

In a statement, Proton Holdings Bhd said the first Asean NCAP frontal collision test results were announced at the Asean NCAP Open Day held by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) at its crash laboratory at the Road Transport Department Academy in Malacca yesterday.

Proton Holdings Bhd executive chairman, Datuk Mohd Khamil Jamil, said it was time to change the perception about the Proton brand as it is of good quality and is affordable.

"Proton's new direction to further enhance its products on all levels clearly demonstrates our commitment to provide our customers with a high level of safety protection.