Proton Pesona

A new Malaysian flagship is being prepared for action in Australia next year.

The Proton Persona sedan, unveiled in Kuala Lumpur, is locked into a role here next year at the top of the local range.

It will slide in above the Gen.2 hatchback, which provides the Persona's mechanical and body package.

But there are more improvements in the newcomer, which is expected to create about 20 per cent more sales for the company and improve customer satisfaction.

“We have addressed concerns of customers in Australia,” Proton Cars Australia managing director John Startari says. “It's a fantastic car. It's very encouraging.”

The changes include a new dashboard with a glovebox, something missing from the Gen.2, and better seats with more headroom.

“Basically, it has an all-new interior. There is a new console, cupholders in the rear and the electric-window switches have been moved. It's a big change from the Gen.2,” Startari says.
Proton has been overwhelmed in Malaysia, with more than 10,000 advance orders, and this has pushed the start of local sales back to next year, he says.

“We will launch the Persona at the Melbourne Motor Show in February,” Startari says.
This is not the first time Proton has had a Persona in Australia, the car was also sold as the Wira, but it is a big change in direction.

The previous model was over-priced and underdone, but Proton knows it must do better this time.

That means two models, with a starting price that should be in the low-to-mid $20,000 range.
Standard equipment is expected to include twin airbags, anti-skid brakes, airconditioning, electric windows and parking radar.

“The price will be somewhere around the present Gen.2,” Startari says.

“The Persona will give us an extra 600 cars a year. It will be our flagship and help us improve on this year's target of 3200 sales,” he says.

That should easily better the result of the Gen.2, which has struggled here after early quality problems.