Proton expects to sell 155000 cars by April

Proton expects to sell 155,000 cars by April

2009/10/31

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd expects to sell 155,000 units of cars in its current financial year ending March 31, 2010.

Managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Mohamed Tahir said with another five months to go, sales had been encouraging and the company would not be surprised if the target was exceeded. "Currently, we are selling 13,000 to 13,500 cars a month. As everyone knows, the last two months of the year will be a difficult one but we are sure that the limit is just below our real achievement," he said. He was speaking to reporters after launching Proton Edar's "Proton Drive for Holidays" campaign here yesterday. Some selected models have experienced a big jump in sales, according to Proton. Syed Zainal Abidin said the new Proton Saga was launched with a initial target of 4,500 units per month but it was now being booked at the rate of 7,000 units a month. "Same goes for the Proton Persona which was launched two years ago but now it is getting 4,000 bookings a month. The newly-launched Proton Exora has just entered the market with bookings amounting to 2,200 units a month," he said. On the industry, Syed Zainal Abidin said the country's total industry volume (TIV) of 500,000 cars this year as projected by the Malaysian Automotive Association was an achievable target. "Even though the total is five per cent lower than last year's 520,000 cars, Proton is still capturing first place in the market as its TIV is growing from 26 per cent to 29 per cent," he said. Asked about the revised National Automotive Policy (NAP), Syed Zainal Abidin said Proton was always thankful to the government and would fulfil all 18 elements of the NAP by collaborating with dealers, vendors and stakeholders. "The policy is not only meant for the main players of the industry but also the minor players who seek opportunities and standards which the government has provided through this policy," he said. -- BERNAMA