SHAH ALAM: The Naza group, the franchise holder and assembler of Peugeot cars in Malaysia, hopes to export some 1,000 units of Peugeot 206 to Thailand and Indonesia within a year of the model’s debut in Malaysia next month.

Its entry into the two markets is line with Naza’s plan to become the manufacturing hub of Peugeot cars in the region.

Naza aims to sell 3,000 units of Peugeot in the first year

SHAH ALAM: The Naza Group aims to sell some 3,000 Peugeot cars in Malaysia in 2008, its maiden year as the country's franchise holder and sole importer of the French automobile.

The sales target under Naza's new stewardship, is more than double the estimated 1,300 units sold nationwide last year (2007). 

Much excitement is in the air over the soon to be launched Proton Saga's replacement codenamed Proton BLM. It is much more so when the ailing company promised a better built quality throughout all their cars.

The Proton BLM is targetted at first time buyers who was deprieved of a decent lower cost entry level cars from all the marques in Malaysia.

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is confident of maintaining its target of selling 165,000 units this year while not resorting to any price cuts despite competition from the introduction of Proton’s BLM model.

“The BLM is a different animal as it is targeted at a different market segment. Our focus is more in the second and third car buyers and those looking for a cost efficient car, while Proton is looking at first time car buyers,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: Naza Group of Companies has secured a sole distributorship deal to market Peugeot cars in the country, Naza group chairman and chief executive officer, Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin said.

He said Automobiles Peugeot of France (Peugeot) and Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd had signed the agreement earlier this month and the exclusive franchise agreement was renewable every two years.

“The agreement will be effective Jan 1, 2008,” Nasimudin told reporters after launching Naza’s latest model, the Forza, here yesterday, which was witnessed by Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

He added that the group would announce further details next month.

SHAH ALAM: Proton Holdings Bhd yesterday added Thailand to its list of export markets with the launch of the Savvy, Neo and Gen.2 at the 24th Thailand International Motor Expo 2007 in Bangkok.

The national car maker also named Phranakorn Auto Sales Co Ltd as its sole distributor in Thailand.

KUALA LUMPUR: The toll on six highways will be raised by between 7.69% and 50% on Jan 1 but rates on four major ones, including the closed-toll portion of the North-South Expressway (NSE), will be maintained. 

The highways where toll will be increased are the Seremban-Port Dickson Highway (SPDH), the North-South Central Link (Elite), the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE), the Second Link, the New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB), the two ends of the NSE at the Johor Causeway and the Bukit Kayu Hitam toll plaza.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Samy Vellu said that the rates were decided on during the Cabinet’s meeting yesterday.

On whether toll rates would increase again in 2009, he said it would be determined at a later time.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Optimism over a turnaround in Proton Holdings Bhd's performance could stem from the rebound in sales the carmaker has been making in recent months.

The breakdown in October motor vehicle sales shows the industry saw total volume sold grow 20% but Proton enjoyed the biggest gain among the major car companies in the country.

For the month, its sales jumped 42% to 13,308 from 9,357 units in the same month last year and that in no small part has been due to the success of the company's latest model.

The Persona, said in some quarters as Proton's make-or-break model ahead of its debut, has attracted strong interest.

Having sold an average of 3,500 Persona cars a month, Proton has recorded 22,000 bookings for the model since it was launched in August.

One research unit commented that sales of Proton cars have risen from an average 8,000 units in May to over 13,000 in October.

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia: Amid the scepticism whether Proton Holdings Bhd is able to operate on its own, the national carmaker is forging ahead to enter the Thai market.

Managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir told StarBiz: “Proton is planning to open five branches in Thailand in locations like Bangkok, Haadyai and Chiangrai and we plan to launch a few Proton models such as the GEN.2, Satria and Waja there probably next week. We will introduce the Persona next year.”

Proton recently made significant inroads into high-growth markets like Iran, China and Indonesia in a bid to complement its turnabout performance on the domestic front.

Syed Zainal believes that Proton has been strengthening its position in the 24 foreign markets where it currently has a presence.

FRANKFURT - German car manufacturer Volkswagen AG is looking for a new partner for production and marketing in South-East Asia after talks broke off with Malaysian peer Proton yesterday, reports German daily Handelsblatt.

Citing sources within the company, Handelsblatt says research teams are ready to begin looking at possible partners, particularly in Indonesia or Thailand.

A spokesman for the company said VW will have to start looking at the region again, the report added.

Yesterday the investment arm of the Malaysian government confirmed it has called off talks with Volkswagen and General Motors for a strategic alliance with Proton after having "taken note of the recent positive developments at Proton."

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton’s share price tumbled to a seven-year low of RM4.02 after the government called off negotiations with VW.

PUTRAJAYA: The negotiations for Proton between Khazanah and two major international car manufacturers - Volkswagen and General Motors - have been called off.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said there would be no foreign partner for Proton for the time being as the national car manufacturer was showing signs of a turnaround.

He said the Government called off negotiations with Volkswagen and General Motors after the Cabinet Committee on the National Automotive Policy met last week.

“The committee, comprising of several ministers, decided that the circumstances to seek a foreign strategic partner has changed and the objectives for such a partnership has also changed.

Many car manufacturers jumped on the “Green” wagon during the recent Frankfurt show. Many yet attempt to 'Green' their diesels with longer gearing, better aerodynamics and engine tweaks.

Peugeot however have a slightly different idea, opting instead to go along with the 308 Hybrid concept that will be out next week.

Honestly, I am impressed by Toyota sometimes. Most of their cars are boring, but for sheer practicality and reliability it's a strong contender for the top notch.

The New 2007 Toyota Vios is an obvious example of this. This new small sedan is unlikely to win any award but it is well thought out and clearly a better car than the old Vios sedan.

UMW Toyota Motor's pricing for the new Toyota Vios series - which is slated for its public launch, Oct 19 - has been updated.

The pricing has been revised for all three models in the range on the company's website, and they are slightly lower than that initially announced at the media preview.

Prices are now RM88,100 for the Vios 1.5S, RM84,800 for the 1.5G and RM78,700 for the 1.5E, all on-the-road, with insurance, for Peninsular Malaysia.

---The Star