Exora sales still strong

Above about Exora sales.

The order book for Proton Holdings Bhd’s MPV model, the Exora, is strong at the moment with a backlog of up to three to four months even at a production rate of 3,300 units per month.

Managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed said he thought there was more stability in its distribution.

“Of course it is supported by the Exora … we are very thankful for the support of the Malaysian public,” he told reporters at Invest Malaysia 2009 yesterday.

“So, going forward, as long as we can maintain a very healthy order bank (or book) and continue with what we are doing, such as the cost measures, for example, I think the company will be in a better position.”

Referring to Proton’s recent Master Dealership Agreement with Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd, which was announced on May 8, Syed Zainal said: “By controlling the dealers, we will make the dealers more efficient.

“From an efficiency point of view, our distribution system will be much better, which means maybe margins can be improved and revenue further enhanced.”

He added: “These are the opportunities that we can look forward to, at least for this financial year (ending March 31, 2010).”

However, it was still too early to say if the national carmaker would return to the black this year, he said, adding: “The only thing I can say is that it (the first quarter ended June 30) will be an improvement over the last quarter.”

At present, there were 5,000 Exora MPVs registered in the market with pending orders for about 14,000 vehicles.

On expected developments in new variants of Exora models, he said that having first introduced the automatic model of the MPV to the market, “it was only a matter of time” before Proton introduced a manual model.

He said the manual model could be expected this year.

Proton was also planning to launch the Exora in Jakarta on July 24 at the International Motor Show.

This was an important move for the company, because in the 1½ to two years it had been in the country it only had a small presence in the Indonesian market dominated by MPVs, Syed Zainal said.

On foreign competition to Proton, both locally and overseas, he said: “I think competition is healthy. We have to strategise our plans and others – Toyota and Nissan – would also strategise their plans.

“So, it is something I think we should not be totally worried about.”

This year Proton will focus mainly on the Asean market, including “Singapore,” soon.

Next year, the company will focus on other markets, like the Middle East, and also try to do the CKD (completely knocked-down) assembly in China and other markets.

Apart from Indonesia, the company plans to introduce the Exora to Thailand in November.

Talks about Proton Exora

Here's about Proton Exora.

Proton will be attempting to stave off Perodua’s attack with a smaller but cheaper Perodua D46T MPV combined with a more desirable Toyota-associated brand because of the original model (it will be derived from the Toyota Passo Sette) this coming November.

The D46T is no secret, we’ve already seen the exterior and interior of what the Perodua version will look like, and the Toyota Passo Sette has already been around for quite sometime for all to see. In fact, one of the Passo Sette we’ve seen on Malaysian roads on road tests may in fact be likely to be owned by Proton.

The weapon of choice will be a cheaper version of the Exora. Right now the Exora is only available in M-Line and H-Line variants, with the only differences between them being creature comforts and minor styling differences.

A cheaper Exora will be further downgraded in terms of equipment, and will likely feature a manual gearbox, which actually could be more of a blessing for the Exora, as the auto while capable of taking the vehicle up to cruising speed and keeping it there, is rather sluggy to move around at city speeds.

Reader Kenneth spotted this Exora on the Penang bridge. It has light disguises on but we all know it’s an Exora. The LED tail lamps are still there but if this is a version of the production B-Line or manual model, we can see some evidence of downspeccing in the form of steel wheels with a cover instead of proper alloy wheels.

Prime concept of Proton Exora

This is about prime concept of Proton Exora.

Proton Design showcased two modified Proton Exora MPVs at the launch of the Exora. Some of you may have already seen these cars during the live telecast on TV1, but here is a closer look at the two vehicles. This is the white one called the Proton Exora Prime. Here’s the stuff that Proton Design added to the Exora Prime:

• Pearl White Exterior
• Double Fin Front Bumper Grille
• Corporate Graphic At FR Door Trim
• High Gloss Black Side Mirrors
• High Glass Black Roof
• Wrap-around Satin Galvano Foglamp Garnish
• Customised Side Skirts
• Customised Rear Apron with Integrated Exhaust
• Customised Satin Galvano Glass Trim
• Clear Rear Brake Lamps
• Tinted Glass
• 17 inch Wheels with 215/45R17 tyres
• 2-DIN DVD player with integrated GPS
• Rear view mirror with integrated LCD for reverse camera
• 1st and 2nd row pilot seats with integrated LCD and mobile theater system
• Cooler box for the floor console

Proton Exora Concept

Here is about Proton Exora concept.

This is the other concept Proton Exora which Proton Design whipped up in conjunction with the Exora’s launch. The Proton Exora Prestige converts the Exora into a VIP chauffeured car with a lounge behind where one can either continue to work on the move or relax on the way home after a stressful day.

There is of course a bodykit which includes a double fin front bumper grill, warp-around chrome foglamp garnish, a front lip, side skirts, rear apron with integrated quad exhausts, a rear roof spoiler, chrome glass trimming, chrome side protector moulding, a customised smoked rear brake lamp, tinted glass, and 18 inch wheels with 224/40R18 tyres.

In the interior, the first row is separated from the rest of the vehicle via a glass panel to give the boss at the back some privacy. The rear passenger can communicate with the driver via an intercom. This privacy glass panel includes a 19 inch LCD TV.

The VIP seats have electric adjustments, a massage system, and a built-in working table. Other creature comforts include a nice sound system including two 8 inch subwoofers to match the 5.1 channel DVD player, a stow-away footrest and a cooler box.