‘Power Window Promise’ Offers Lifetime Power Window Warranty For PROTON Cars

SUBANG JAYA - Stamping its assurance on quality and reinforcing its pledge of being ‘Committed to be Better’, national car manufacturer PROTON Holdings Berhad today launched its ‘Power Window Promise’ - a Power Window Lifetime Warranty that is applicable for all new Proton models registered from 1 September 2011 onwards and current Proton models that were still under manufacturer’s warranty as at 1 September 2011.

The warranty is applicable only to all Proton car models sold in the domestic market, covering models that include the Exora, Inspira, Saga BLM, Satria Neo, Persona, Perdana, Waja, Gen.2, Wira, Iswara and Savvy; and is applicable to both private and fleet owners. It covers four main components related to the vehicle’s power window mechanism: the power window regulator, power window motor, power window switches and power window run channel. Upon claim by eligible customers and subject to compliance with Proton’s terms and conditions of the Power Window Lifetime Warranty, the warranty will be undertaken by PROTON at no charge, including all labour and part costs for the power window components.

“At PROTON, quality and customer satisfaction are our priority and we are continuously improving and enhancing our customers’ driving experience as part of our never ending commitment to be better. Our ‘Power Window Promise’ is one of the many initiatives that we are doing to fulfil this commitment. It is also one of our most significant initiatives yet, as it truly symbolises a departure from our past shortcoming and the confidence we have in our products today,” said PROTON Group Managing Director, Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

To be eligible to claim the warranty, owners of Proton cars that were registered before 31 August 2011 and still under manufacturer’s warranty as at 1 September 2011 will need to claim their Power Window System Warranty Registration certificate from any PROTON authorised service centres, Proton Edar Sdn Bhd and EON service branches, as well as at authorized dealer outlets nationwide. A prior appointment must be made before they can collect the certificate from the respective service centres. The warranty certificate, however, will not be necessary for owners of Proton cars registered from 1 September 2011 onwards as the ‘Power Window Promise’ is already included in PROTON’s new Service Booklet.

Consistent with global automotive standards, the warranty is limited to 250,000km or 10 years from the date of the vehicle registration (whichever occurs first). The eligibility for the warranty is also subject to PROTON’s terms and conditions of the Power Window Lifetime Warranty which include full compliance of the recommended periodical service maintenance, as specified in the Service Booklet, at PROTON authorized service centres. Proton cars with expired manufacturer’s warranty will not be eligible for the Lifetime Warranty but may still benefit from the normal PROTON parts warranty cover.

While PROTON has made tremendous and significant improvements in terms of quality which is reflected in its new generation of vehicles, Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin said some negative perception of the brand continues to exist today.

“Correcting this perception is a challenging but necessary task, and this Power Window Lifetime Warranty is one of the initiatives that is being undertaken to put to rest this particular stigma. It saddens us that our customers purchase Proton cars whilst questioning the quality of our power window, to the point that they refuse to utilise it for fear of damaging it. Hence, today we would like to put to rest that fear and provide peace of mind to our valued customers. Our message is simple: Should you buy a Proton car today, please know that the power windows are working, they are working well and you have our Power Window Promise to back you up.”

Proton offers storage facility to automakers in Thailand

SUBANG JAYA: Proton has offered its storage facility at its Tanjung Malim plant to automakers in Thailand affected by the flood crisis there.

"We are open for negotiations any time," its group managing director, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, said Monday.

He was speaking at a press briefing on Proton's "Power Window Promise" here.

He said when the deadly tsunami struck Japan and jeopardised the auto industry, it prompted many automakers from the country to set up operations elsewhere.

"That is why we have joined hands with MMC Corporation Bhd to make us among the top destinations for storage," he added.

On Proton's operations in Thailand, Syed Zainal Abidin said the company's 34 sales outlets in the country were not badly affected.

"Thailand is a very important market for us and we are monitoring the situation closely. So far, the business there in terms of sales has not been disrupted," he added.

On Proton's "Power Window Promise", Syed Zainal Abidin said around 500,000 Proton cars are to benefit from the power window lifetime warranty.

He said the new warranty scheme was applicable to all new Proton models registered from Sept 1 onwards and current Proton models which were still under manufacturer's warranty as at the same date.

He said the warranty was applicable only to Proton car models sold in the domestic market and to both private and fleet owners.

"It covers four main components to the vehicle's power window mechanism, namely the power window regulator, power window motor, switches and run channel."
 -Bernama

Proton set to take on IRC champs Skoda in their home rally

The Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) resumes this weekend in the Czech Republic, and Proton will be there at the Barum Czech Rally Zlin with their yellow Neos piloted by two-time FIA Junior World Rally Champion P-G Andersson and double FIA European Rally Champion Giandomenico Basso. This is round seven of IRC 2011′s 11 races.

Based in the south-east of the Czech Republic, some 300 km east from capital Prague and about 200 km north from the Austrian capital of Vienna, the 41st edition of the Zlin Rally will be contested through the forests close to the city of Zlin. The event will consist of 15 special stages with a combined competitive distance of 248.48 km. High-speed and tricky asphalt roads will be waiting for the drivers.

Rallying begins with a 9.36 km test along a super special stage in the town centre which will be run in the dark before day two takes teams through another nine SS totaling 133.4 km. The third and final day will feature six special stages with a distance of 115 km. The event will see 29 S2000 cars battle, 14 of which are Skoda Fabia S2000s, from a total of 123 registered entries. This is the home race for Skoda, the IRC champions.

“The roads on this rally can be quite bumpy with some broken tarmac, which is good for me – this kind of condition suits me quite well. I haven’t competed in Zlin before, but I have heard a lot about the rally. I’m looking forward to getting out there and driving again to chase a good result,” said ex-Suzuki man Andersson.

“The most important thing is to find a good confidence in the car on the bumpy surface. Barum is not like a normal tarmac rally, it is very specific. The bumps make finding the right set-up complicated so there is a lot of work to do with the dampers. The roads in Zlin can be especially difficult when there is rain,” said the experienced Italian Basso.

I went to the official Czech Rally website, and guess what greeted me? Hint, it’s not a Skoda!

Technician Is First Recipient In My PROTON Makeover Programme

SUBANG JAYA – PROTON Holdings Berhad revealed today, the first recipient of its “My PROTON Makeover” programme, targeted at rewarding PROTON car owners who have loyally supported the brand over the years. Fadly Hisham Roplay, 33, will have his 1992 Proton Saga completely reworked by the R3 unit of PROTON Motorsports Division.

“Fadly’s story about how his Proton Saga has impacted his life was quite an inspiration to us all,” said PROTON Group Managing Director, Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir who launched the “My PROTON Makeover” contest at the announcement of PROTON’s “Committed to be Better” programme in July. The contest is part of PROTON’s programme to acknowledge and reward faithful customers of PROTON who have fervently supported the national car maker over the last 26 years. “My PROTON Makeover” requires entrants to submit their story involving themselves and their PROTON car. PROTON will then identify the best stories or most heart-warming and reward five other winners with a complete car makeover. Entries for the contest will close on 28 December 2011.

“When we kicked off this initiative, Fadly’s name came up as a model example. The story of him and his Proton Saga was lighthearted and entertaining. But more importantly, it was really heartwarming to hear about much he loves his car and the memories that his family and him share with the car. For this, we truly felt that he and his car deserved a big ‘Thank You’ and reward,” Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal said.

Purchasing his Proton Saga in 1999 from its original owner in Kuala Lumpur, Fadly, a technician with an international electronics manufacturer, drove it back immediately to his home town, where upon arriving at the Sultan Azlan Syah bridge in Perak, shouted out “Welcome to Kuala Kangsar!” to the car, as described by his mother who was travelling with him.

“He has such an attachment to the car that only he can describe best,” said his mother, Puan Hamiah Abdullah. “He once brought us down to shop in KL, and had his car towed by the traffic police as it was parked illegally. After frantically rushing to the impound and paying the fine, he ran over and hugged the car! We couldn’t help but watch and laugh!” she added.

When asked, Fadly expressed great sentiments of the car. “One of my most memorable moments, or rather nightmare involving the car was when I drove my mother over to my girlfriend’s house for her to convey the proposal of marriage to my girlfriend’s parents. I was sitting in this car, outside the house, trembling!” he recalled. His car has played a major facet in his personal story, being the vehicle used on his first date with his then girlfriend, who has since become his wife and mother to his two children.

“This car and I have shared many stories together. We have been the brunt of jokes by my family and friends. My father-in-law has even offered to pay the down payment for a new car, but I politely declined,” said Fadly. “It is a bit of a relationship, where my car keeps me going and I also keep her going,” he laughed after revealing that thousands of ringgits have been well spent over the years to keep the car as road-worthy as possible and for the regular service maintenance.

Fadly’s 19 year-old Proton Saga will now be in the R3 workshop for four weeks, for a full rework, from top to bottom, front to back and inside out. Speaking on behalf of the R3 unit of PROTON Motorsports Division, Head of Engineering, Tengku Djan Ley bin Tengku Mahaleel said that the department is very excited about the project. “It’s not often that we are given freerein to do up a car like this. Considering the background of the situation, we’re really looking forward to giving the car an outstanding makeover as a gift for Fadly.” 

The fully reworked Proton Saga will be unveiled in September.

“My PROTON Makeover” is part of PROTON’s “Commitment to be Better” programme. For more information, visit www.protonVIP.com.