What I still cannot understand is why w/o taxes(in Langkawi), which reflects the base price, the Lancer at RM72k is RM13k cheaper than the Inspira at RM85k?
If that is the cost of rebadging and localization, Proton will never be able to compete w/o protectionism.
Proton can't even keep the cost of a CKD down. RM13k extra for new suspension set up is ridiculous. It is mind bogling how some people can defend Proton.
Becos of one man's dream that we have a car industry, every single car owning Malaysian has had to pay the price by propping up Proton for the past 25 years.
25 years later, Proton turns a full circle to back where it started ie rebadging Mitsubishis. I dont really mind that as at least we get better quality cars. What I cannot accept is that after 25 years we are still required to prop up Proton by paying inflated prices for Proton itself.
Some may say that RM13k extra is to help pay Proton's workers salary and the development cost. What development cost? Its a Lancer with different bumpers/seats , rims ,tyres and suspension.
What about the millions of Malaysians who have to continue to subsidise a company which after 25 years cannot stand on its own and in all honesty will not be able to do so in another 25 years.
A nations dream has now turned into anightmare. We should cut losses. The only viable solution for Proton would be to do contract manufacturing like DRB and Inokom.Maybe then we will get an Inspira that costs less than a Lancer w/o taxes.
Isn that what Taiwan did with Lancer Fortis. see
http://www.cmc-motor.com/products/lancer_fortis/
