'CASH-FOR-CLUNKERS':

AJIT wants to know the current status of the Proton Xchange Programme.

“I was in the UK earlier this year, and while on the internet, came across a statement that our government was scrapping the car exchange programme at the end of this year.

“Not wanting to lose the opportunity, I applied for a Proton Saga 1.3 under the offer upon my return to the country. I made the arrangements at the Proton outlet in Jalan Kuala Kangsar in Ipoh."

AJIT says he has been advised by a salesman to send his old car to the Puspakom in Gopeng for inspection.

“I went there on Oct 10 and was issued an approved document which I handed to Proton."

AJIT was then told to get a clearance document from the Road Transport Department and handed it to Proton before being instructed to work out the car loan for the new car. “My car loan was approved in less than a week.”

On Nov 4, the Proton salesman informed AJIT that the loan was approved and requested him to pay a deposit on the new car which he did on the same day.

However, AJIT is beginning to feel sceptical about the Proton Xchange programme when he could not get a clear answer on the status of the RM5,000 exchange voucher.

“I hope PROTON can clear the air.”

● A spokesperson for Proton Holdings Berhad says they have explained the status of the programme to AJIT.
Proton confirms that its Xchange Programme has been discontinued but adds that they have come up with a special incentive scheme for 'unsuccessful' applicants in appreciation for their support of owning a Proton car.
“We received 7,539 applications for the programme from Nov 1 to 6 when we had to stop it as the funds had been used up.”
The spokesperson advises these applicants to contact the outlets they have been dealing with to make further arrangements to enjoy the new scheme.
"As it is not part of the Xchange Programme, applicants don't have to surrender their old cars under this scheme.
"If they want to sell off their old cars, Proton will help them make arrangements with second-hand car dealers."
The spokesperson says while the new scheme is applicable to purchases of any Proton cars, the vehicles must be registered by Jan 31 next year.
“We would also like to apologise to all our customers who have recently turned up at our sale outlets for the Xchange Programme only to be disappointed to hear the news of its discontinuation.
“We regret to inform that only applications that reached our regional offices on or before Oct 31 will be processed accordingly for the rebate vouchers.”
Under Xchange Programme, a RM5,000 discount was given to owners who traded in their cars that were at least 10 years old to buy new Proton cars. It was to run until today or until the funds had been fully used.
However, Proton received 25,862 applications from March 10 to Oct 31, exhausting the funds provided by the Stimulus Plan well before the year-end period.