Collective Soul

Proton, that’s the pride and identity of a nation. The first ever Malaysian car made its present to the world on the unforgetable date for all Malaysian, September 1985. It’s the start of our dream and nightmare as well. Yes, you are not seeing wrongly, it’s spelled correctly, n-i-g-h-t-m-a-r-e.

Just like any first children in the family, Proton was well pampered and lavished with great attention and care especially by leader of the family. All the other adopted car like Honda, Toyota, Nissan and etc were then made to look bad and worthless. Since young, Proton was never a determined yet lazy and always look down on the rest because Proton is the Special One in Malaysia. After sometimes, the leader of the family realised that Proton no longer able to compete with all the other adopted car, the leader decided to impose greater price range on all the adopted car with various type of taxes and fees. The main reason is to stop the nation from buying those adopted car and at the same time making Proton a worthy car for the nation to buy because at the same variant, it’s so much cheaper than the rest.

However, as time flies, Proton still remain with its same attitude yet never wanting to change. Proton finally come accross his greatest rival, Perodua. Unlike Proton, Perodua is small and not considered as the nation pride, but they fight all the way to out-beat their cousin, Proton. They have their vision set far far ahead compare to Proton. Even before the present of Perodua, Proton was never really a threat to those adopted car as the quality and improvement of the Proton was never a significant, in facts it’s near to zero. Yet never learn from mistake,  they put all the blame on discounts given from the others car.

In showing how great they could be, Proton acquire Lotus (£40 millions) and MV Agusta (€ 70 millions) in year 1996 and 2004 respectively. However both strategy taken was a great mistake in the history. Proton never really fully make use of Lotus advanced technology into their product. It’s as simple as you can never ask a Director to work as Cleaner. They also make losses in acquiring MV Agusta which in the end they sold it off for just € 1 to GEVI Spa. Worst of it, GEVI Spa managed to sell of its factory to BMW for € 93 millions with just € 1. What a waste isn’t it? Well, that’s how Proton works anyway.

Never really make it to the international stage within the 20 plus years period, the lack of direct competition (even when it goes super cheap) contribute to Proton down falls although they are still surviving. Selling of very outdated designs, basically their new version of variant involved of additional kits, slight changes of the design (not even qualified to consider as face-lift) and etc. Just take a look on both Wira 1993 and 2002, I wouldn’t be surprise if you tell me they are the same.

In the stretch of 9 years, Proton still rely very much on its Wira Edition. By hiring some Ah Beng and Ah Kau workshop designer, some plastic were designed and fit into the existing Wira and da da, New Special Edition is born! Simple isn’t it?

Imagined all the investment pour into Proton is use to develop the country transportation system, I think we could just be as advance as any other country right now. However, damaged were done. No turning back and all the burden is now bear by the Nation. That’s why we have to buy all the expensive car, thank to Proton. A pride that is never proud for.