Proton Launches Proto Ertiga at prices ranging from RM58,800 to RM64,800 for Peninsular Malaysia.

Proton wraps 2016 with launch of Ertiga

MalayMailOnline

Proton Ertiga is a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), introduced through Proton’s collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corp Japan. — Pictures courtesy of ProtonSHAH ALAM, Nov 24 — True to its commitment to launch four cars in 2016, Proton Holdings Bhd officially launched the Proton Ertiga, its fourth and final model for this year, here today.

The compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), introduced through Proton's collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corp Japan, was unveiled at prices ranging from RM58,800 to RM64,800 for Peninsular Malaysia.

Speaking at the launch, Proton Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datuk Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said the model is Malaysia's first compact MPV with energy efficient vehicle (EEV) status accorded by the Malaysia Automotive Institute.

“One can feel Ertiga's refinement, the engine even at a speed of 110kph and at 2,900 rpm seems to be fairly muted, and the good suppresion of road and wind noise gives the car commendable driveability and significantly quieter noise, vibration and harshness levels,” he said.

Proton Ertiga is Malaysia's first compact MPV with energy efficient vehicle (EEV) status accorded by the Malaysia Automotive Institute.The MPV comes in two variants — the Executive (manual and automatic transmissions) and Executive Plus (automatic) — which have both been accorded four-star Asean New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) ratings.

Meanwhile, at the press conference, Ahmad Fuaad said the company aims to achieve average monthly sales of 1,500 units.

Ahmad Fuaad said Ertiga's current local content of 15 per cent could certainly be improved once it reaches a certain sales volume.

The completely knocked down (CKD) parts are shipped to the country from the nearest Suzuki plant in Indonesia.

A look at the interior of the Proton Ertiga.He said no cannibalisation of the Exora model is expected, as both MPVs cater for a different market segment.

“The compact Ertiga is a B-segment (small) car, while the larger Exora is a C-segment (medium) car,” he said.

DRB-Hicom Bhd Group CEO Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar at the same press conference said Proton is expected to enter into a strategic partnership agreement, with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a foreign partner, in the first half of next year.

He confirmed the existence of three shortlisted candidates but declined to identify them or confirm if the deal would involve Proton's entire stake.

“It's highly premature to mention the names. We hope to identify the potential partner by the first quarter and complete the exercise by the first half of next year,” he added. — Bernama

The MPV can easily fit a large family or items.

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