Veteran dealer sees bright future for Proton
KUALA LUMPUR: A long-time Proton dealer has invested RM4 million to upgrade his dealership into a 4S service centre on renewed confidence in the future of the national carmaker.
Pantai Bharu Holdings founder Datuk Shamshudin Nor said Proton would be able to retain a 50 per cent market share with technologies from China’s Zhejiang Geely Holdings Group, the new strategic partner of Proton Holdings Bhd.
Having already invested in a new building, he said his confidence stemmed from Geely’s reputation as a global brand and its planned technology transfer to Proton.
Shamshudin said he was convinced of Proton’s bright future after a recent group visit to Geely’s manufacturing plant in Shanghai.
Proton’s parent company, DRB-HICOM Bhd and Geely signed an agreement last year, whereby the latter acquired a 49.9 per cent stake in the national carmaker.
Shamshudin said he saw Geely’s operations first-hand and was impressed with the company’s technology.
“Proton will be able to offer customers an expanded range of big marques,” said Shamsudin, who started his dealership in 1978.
Impressed with Geely’s commitment to turning around Proton, he said dealers would be able to sell a few hundred units per month.
He said 4S centres and workshops would offer services, including sales offices, after-sales services, parts sales and body and paint services.
“We must have standards and quality equal or better compared with other brands in order to compete.”
“After-sales service is pivotal. We are confident of the quality and reliability, but the price cannot be too high, given the immense competition from other brands, including other competitively-priced brands from China,” he said.
He said Proton dealers had to be transparent with regards to their sales, while vendors had to follow market prices and there should be no additional costs.
After-sales service is pivotal. We are confident of the quality and reliability, but the price cannot be too high, given the immense competition from other brands. DATUK SHAMSHUDIN NOR
Pantai Bharu Holdings founder