Proton to launch its cars in India

Proton, the Malaysian car maker is gearing up to launch its cars in the Indian market. According to sources, the company will join hands with Argentum motors for assembling its car in India.

Argentum Motors has a production facility in Noida. Member of Proton’s Board of Directors, BVR Subbu, the ex-President of Hyundai Motor India, will lead the Proton operations in the country.

Proton showcased the EMAS concept at Geneva Motor Show and its Managing Director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said that the company will use this concept and build a small car with focus on India, China, Asean and Middle East. We reported on the upcoming launch of Proton cars Sega and Savvy last year – but then, it was believed that it would be Hero Motors who would be their Indian partner.

Sources say that Proton is ‘Indian-izing” its cars so as to suit the country’s road conditions. While Proton cars will come with its home-made petrol engines, the company will likely source its diesel engines from another well-established car maker.

Photo: Proton may debut with a car based on the EMAS Concept in India

Proton must have already grasped the Indian mind set in purchasing diesel cars, especially sedans and MPVs. It is to be noted that Proton’s global small car, Savvy, has engine and gear box sourced from Renault. Hence, Proton may likely source the diesel engines from Renault (the Logan’s 1.5 litre diesel engine?) for its cars when launched in India.

About Proton

PeRusahan OTomobil Nasional Berhad (PROTON) was first incorporated in May 7, 1983. Proton’s and indeed Malaysia’s first home-made car, Saga, was commercially launched on July 9, 1985.

Proton’s model line-up includes the Waja, Satria GTi, Wira, Iswara, Arena, Perdana V6 and Juara. The range of 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines satisfies a wide spectrum of customers both locally and abroad. Proton has a main plant in Shah Alam with 923 900 sq meters and capable of producing 240 000 vehicles per year as of today.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a shareholder as well as technical assistance partner and component supplier of Proton. Proton has 11 subsidiaries and 11 associate companies that are involved in manufacturing, R&D and Sales & Service Activities.

Proton acquisition of Lotus, the British car brand in 1996 added engineering sources and automotive expertise leading to the production of Gen-2 car. This car which has been extensively developed in-house by Proton and Lotus and  was officially launched in the third quarter of 2004. It is also known as Lotus Europestar L3 Hatchback.

Proton cars are exported to 50 countries including the UK and Europe. Indian market could get the EMAS concept, Savvy, Saga and Exora MPV.

In UK, Proton sells Savvy hatchback powered by a 1.2 litre petrol engine that produces 75 bhp at 5500 rpm of maximum power and 105 Nm at 4250 rpm of maximum torque. With compact dimension of 3710 x 1643 x 1480 mm, this small hatch could be a good city car to drive. Proton Savvy costs £ 7995 (equivalent to Rs. 5.65 lakhs).

In Malaysian market, Proton sells Saga sedan, powered by a 1.3 litre petrol engine that produces 93.8 bhp of maximum power and 120 Nm at 4000 rpm of maximum torque. With a dimension of 4257 x 1650 x 1502 mm, this entry level sedan could compete with Maruti Swift Dzire, Tata Indigo Manza and the new Toyota Etios if launched in India. Proton Saga is priced at RM 32, 000 (equivalent to Rs. 4.58 lakhs)

In Malaysian market, Proton offers Exora MPV, powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine that produces 125 bhp of maximum power and 150 Nm of maximum torque. This MPV must face stiff competition from Toyota Innova provided Proton offers diesel Exora in India. Proton Exora price starts from RM 58, 998 (equivalent to Rs. 8.44 lakhs).