Not A Rock Not Yet A Diamond

Few days ago (actually it is not just few days ago, I frequently visited his page but few days before are too boring so whenever I am online, I was there.. haha), I was sticking to Paultan's blog, he is an active automotive writer. He writes about cars all over the world and he is Malaysian and of course he writes about Proton and Perodua too. And I am more into his Proton's writings, not because I own one, well I like reading about Proton and despite everybody's doubts and hating towards roton, surprisingly, there are still many of them are eager to know and have an updates about Proton .

Surprisingly, Proton has gone beyond more than I know. They have built their own engines which is the CamPro and CPS, starting to develop the electric vehicle technology, the still under development hybrid system, our own turbocharged engine!!!, the first national MPV, and a very highly regards the MEM Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 rally car(weeewwiit!!). Well, look at that! Look how much Proton had moved. See the differences at their early years when our first national car, Proton Saga was rebadge from the Mitsubishi technology of Japan and their current achievement at global stage? Proton now and then has improve so much in less than 30 years, well I just can't help proud of the national car.

But too bad, so sad there are still people out there who are still bashing and hantam the Proton as if Proton never change from 20 years ago. These people are demanding more from Proton. They want Proton to be fast at least can beat the Type R, they want the quality to be like the BMW or Merc, and there are some idiot out there who likes to compare Proton with other highly regards manufacturer such as Audi, Bently, or Jaguar. Well, comparing is good, but at least let it be on par la. They want good things from Proton but want a teh O kurang gula price. Some people going very good about saying not to proud driving a national car and die in it due to lack of confidence in safety measures, so 'stereotyper'. I hate these people (especially the Japanese car fan wannabe), if they have much money, okay that's good, go make your own car and have fun.

Well, these people forget why the Proton was built at first place. They forget about the low class family in Malaysia who can't afford a pricey car. I believed Proton now is in the right path for success. The reason they build such 'not so quality' cars is because to make sure that they can target every economical based classes in Malaysia.People in Proton has a business mind and they cannot leave the poor but need a car rakyat. Imagine what if Proton doing all of these fast and highly quality where when you crash into a lorry carrying cows and the car did not split into two, I don't think my grandfather could afford to buy his new Proton Saga BLM yesterday everybody can afford it. And I hope Proton would never in their mind to produce any fast car because as we all know Malaysian drivers are reckless and immature in driving. Worst, try to imagine if there is no Proton. What would happen if Proton is never here. Imagine those foreign manufacturer came and selling their cars at high prices because they knew, without local cheap cars, they can selling their products higher and their accessories also will be tag at a car cost. Foreign monopoly is not healthy to our economy, it is way dangerous.

Anyway, yes I do agree Proton are still much backward compare to other manufacturer, they still need to make changes. They still have many problems to counter. What I can hope is they do a lot more R&D, try to make everything cheaper especially their after sales service, and still being competitive and relevant. They are not shining like a diamond yet but in the future I believed they will shine and they never be like they were 20 years back when producing a tin milo car. Well, at least there are no more power window and gear box problems like we have heard before, but if there is any, it is minimum compared to years ago. But still as a Malaysian, do not condemn the them, support them and be proud to have a national car manufacturer.