Nadzmi exits Proton

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh has resigned as Proton chairman and director with immediate effect.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia on Friday, the national auto maker said his resignation was part of a term stipulated in the sales and purchase agreement (SSPA) between Khazanah Nasional Bhd and DRB-Hicom Bhd.

"We wish to highlight that the resignation of Nadzmi as the chairman of the board of Proton and all other appointments by virtue of his position as director, is part of the terms of the SSPA," Proton said.

Nadzmi, 57, nominated by Khazanah, was appointed Proton chairman on Jan 1, 2009 and was also chairman of the boards of various subsidiaries within the Proton group of companies.

He previously served the national car company as its managing director between 1993 and 1996.

Schumacher pleased with promising Mercedes

Michael Schumacher: "It is good to see that we were
competitive in different circumstances"

Michael Schumacher is happy with Mercedes' competitive start to the Australian Grand Prix weekend, but warned against reading too much into the times.

Schumacher set the fastest time in the second practice session and the third fastest time overall behind the two McLarens. Rain ahead of both sessions made it hard to draw conclusions, but Schumacher said it was a positive first day for Mercedes.

"Today was a nice start into a hopefully exciting season, and certainly two promising sessions for us," he said. "However, I would not go so far as to speak about being confident, as the weather conditions were too mixed to gain a clear picture.

"We know what Friday sessions are for and don't know what fuel loads others were running. On the other hand, it is good to see that we were competitive in different circumstances today and that the car provides good handling - I just feel it."

Despite the decent lap times, Mercedes motorsport president Norbert Haug said the main focus had been on race pace.

"A decent start for us on this first Friday of the new Formula One season," Haug added. "Michael felt well in our new car, as did Nico. Both drivers concentrated on race simulations with different programmes, and both were on the medium tyres as the team took the decision to save a set of options for the better track conditions tomorrow. Our team worked perfectly today which gave us a good start into the new season."

ESPN

EXORA Bold Premium And EXORA Prime For Greater Exclusivity And Performance

SUBANG JAYA, 15 December 2011 – PROTON Holdings Berhad today announced the availability of two new variants of Malaysia’s first MPV, the Exora which features an all-new 1.6-litre Campro Charge Fuel Efficiency (CFE) engine with performance comparable to that of a 2-litre engine.

The CFE engine is available in the new Exora Bold Premium and the top-of-the-line Exora Prime model that comes equipped with a CVT transmission. 

“The combination of the Campro CFE engine and CVT transmission not only gives the Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime greater efficiency and fuel economy,” said PROTON Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

He added that CFE uses the force induction technology which provides maximum power at lower RPM. “Boosted with the more efficient 1.6L engine, customers will experience powerful performance which is comparable to a 2.0L engine, with much lower fuel consumption. The additional power kicks in to provide more pulling power when accelerating or overtaking. In short, it’s what you can aptly describe as a “pay-as-you-go” engine, which gives you more “vroom” for every litre of petrol used.”

The benefits of the CVT transmission include the intelligence of selecting the best ratio that would suit a particular driving condition thus allowing the Exora to become extremely fuel efficient, and what is known as “steepless” smooth acceleration due to its discreet gear changing for best comfort.

The Exora Bold is also being offered in executive trim powered by a 1.6-litre Campro CPS engine available in both manual and automatic transmissions. PROTON is also offering a 1.6 standard trim which is powered by the same engine and a manual transmission.

The exclusive, six-seater Exora Prime features a number of enhancements. The exterior upgrades include an all-new front and rear bumper design; electric folding door mirrors; rear disc brakes; blacked-out headlamps; smoked rear combi lights; 16” inch gold-finished alloys; a rear garnish finishing; and available in a newly-introduced colour which is Absolute Brown.

An all-new leather interior is complemented by the walnut centre panel finishing, gear panel bezel, air-conditioning vent outlets and metallic beige door switch covers and inner door handles. The Exora Prime is also equipped with a second row Captain Seat, head rest monitors and an audio system incorporating navigation and a reverse camera.

The Exora Bold Premium meanwhile, also sports electric folding door mirrors, rear disc brakes, 16” inch alloys, and a new front and rear bumper design. The interior however, benefits from a sportier treatment in the form of a dual-tone combination leather seats with liquid silver appointments to its gear panel bezel, door switch cover, air-conditioning vent outlets and inner door handles. The vehicle is also equipped with a reverse camera and rear view mirror with LCD.

“The Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime offer consumers exclusive and elegant styling combined with Lotus Ride and Handling for excellent grip, stability, response and safety, all, at an affordable price and the best value for money for a vehicle in its class, in line with our brand promise of ‘Committed to be Better’,” said Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin.

Since it was first launched in April 2009, a total of 65,049 units of the Exora have already been registered with PROTON receiving some 82,854 bookings. The Exora has a monthly sales average of 1,800 units and with the introduction of Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime, the company is optimistic of securing a monthly sales volume of 2,000 units.

With buyers opting for the Exora because of its interior spaciousness, exterior styling, features and reasonable pricing, it has also won numerous awards which include being named Midi MPV of the year at the NST/Maybank Car of the Year Awards in 2009; Best Local Assembled MPV at the Asian Auto-VCA Awards in 2009; and Small/Mid-size MPV of the year at the Autocar Asean Car of the Year Awards in 2009. The Exora also received the Frost & Sullivan 2010 Malaysia Excellence Awards for Best Automotive Debut Model of the Year in 2010.

The popularity of Exora is also evident in other Proton markets. Last year, the Exora was the only MPV named as one of the top ten cars in Thailand by a renowned English newspaper in Bangkok. And more recently this year, the Exora Star won two separate awards in Indonesia; the “Best Budget MPV 2011” at the Indonesian Automotive Awards and MobilMotor magazine’s ICOTY (Indonesian Car of the Year) Best Small MPV 2011.

The Exora Bold Premium and Exora Prime models will only be available for registration by the second week of January 2012.

In the meantime, customers are invited to test drive the Exora Bold Premium with CVT transmission at the nearest PROTON showroom. In conjunction with the launch of the new variants, PROTON is also organising a Proton 4 U Day from 16-18 December at all Proton sales outlets nationwide. Door gifts are being offered to those who test drive the Exora. The Exora Prime however, will not be available for test drive and can only be viewed at these selected outlets: Crystal Showroom, Juru Branch, Plentong Branch and Mutiara Damansara. 

Variant Tentative OTR

1.6 Standard MT RM 59,998

Bold 1.6 Executive MT RM 70,998

Bold 1.6 Executive AT RM 74,998

Bold 1.6 Premium CVT RM 79,998

Prime 1.6 Premium RM 88,998

APRC Champions Showcased Their Cars And Speed In PROTON

PROTON APRC Rally Champion Alister McRae and Bill Hayes took some time off from their schedule to demonstrate their prowess around PROTON plant for a staff engagement activity organised by the motorsports division and Group Branding, Marketing and Motorsports.

Joining in this 'celebration for commitment to win' event was the R3 team of Faidzil Alang and Syafiq Ali. Fresh from a 4th placing position in the just completed Sepang 1000KM Endurance race, the team paraded their Satria Neo and Gen-2 for the benefit of about 1000 over PROTON staffs.

Not forgetting the PROTON-CUSCO 2WD champion - Karamjit Singh also came for this event to further sign autographs and do photography for the PROTON staffs and members of the media.

Director of Group Branding, Marketing and Motorsports John D. Chacko took a spin in one of the cars which showcased their manouevres said, "Its my first taxi-ride in the rally cars and i must say it knocked the wind out of me."

On maintaining the titles John said, "Being committed to winning is what PR0TON and the rally cars do so we will definitely want to continue this pace and defend our titles for next year.'

Datuk Abdul Razak Dawood, Head of Motorsports said, "I am happy to see most of the PROTON staffs being here today to witness first-hand how a rally with our cars run and with our 8 titles this year - its only good to continue this pace into next year to secure and further clinch these titles in 2012."

"I am looking forward to next year's 1st race in New Zealand in April and will announce our drivers and plans for next year soon."

Some of the team who were at this engagement event was Alister Mcrae, Bill Hayes, Karamjit Singh, Faidzil Alan, Syafiq Ali, Shahruddin Hamid (chief engineer for R3 motorsports team) and Team Principal Chris Mellors.

Chris's son Ollie Mellors took to the demo in the 2nd car of Chris Atkinson and showed that he may just be a force to be reckoned with in the junior championships.

The team will head to PROTON Tanjung Malim for their demonstration show for the benefit of the staffs in the northern region on Thursday 8/12.