Wednesday, June 27, 2007

New Proton BLM... even more of the same

Just had a look at the spyshots (below from Paultan.org) of what is supposed to be the Saga/Iswara replacement model from Proton. It's cryptically called the BLM (say that at Subway and they'll hand you a bacon, lettuce & mayo sandwich).

If you've read my previous post about Proton's 'new' Gen2 sedan, you'd find that my opinion is that Proton is basically digging a deeper and deeper hole for itself - by producing model after model of compact sedans and hatches - which cannibalise sales from each other because they are all essentially the same product... in the same market segment... being sold all at the same time.

Now, with this BLM... am I right, or am I RIGHT?

The question remains...

WHAT THE HELL DOES PROTON WANT TO DO WITH YET ANOTHER COMPACT SEDAN?

Whoever does the goddamn strategic planning for Proton... should be shot. Shot dead, and then shot again.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you r totally WRONG!!!

The new BLM is a medium type of sedan & it price (below 35k) is very affordable ma!! Save fuel also..
I think proton sale will increased with the launched of this new BLM..
Wait & see it yourself on 11 jan 08...

The design?? very attractive and urban styling... 100x more than latio.. vios08 also just a touchup base on the old vios right? Why proton cannot do the same thing??

PROUD TO BE MALAYSIAN!!!

sean-the-man said...

Dear Anonymous

Perhaps you weren't following my argument. I'm not against any INDIVIDUAL Proton model. I'm against Proton producing so MANY models of basically the same compact sedan/hatch car, without giving due attention to the above 2.0L and MPV market.

The new BLM is a medium type of sedan
- As is the Iswara, Wira, Waja, Persona... ALL of which are still being sold NOW and will continue to be sold when the BLM is launched.

Doesn't so many models of the same thing = (i) cannibalise sales from each other, and (ii) increase the costs of production, servicing, holding spare parts and marketing?

it price (below 35k) is very affordable ma!!
- How many 4-door compact cars does Proton have below that price level?

Save fuel also..
- Which Proton car does not save fuel?

I think proton sale will increased with the launched of this new BLM..
- A bit of increased BLM sales at the cost of reduced sales of Iswara, Wira, Waja, Gen2, Persona, Satria Neo and Savvy? And the huge increased cost of supporting YET ANOTHER MODEL that DOES NOT tap a new market segment. What's the point?

The design?? very attractive and urban styling...
- People who like Protons are saying exactly the same thing about the Gen2, Persona, Savvy, Satria Neo...

100x more than latio.. vios08 also just a touchup base on the old vios right? Why proton cannot do the same thing??Maybe because Proton doesn't have the same brand equity, design & mfg economies of scale and 10,000,000 production/market base as Toyota?

Besides... how models under 2.0 liters is marketed by Toyota in Malaysia? How many models under 2.0 is marketed by Proton?

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

sean-the-man said...
WHAT THE HELL DOES PROTON WANT TO DO WITH YET ANOTHER COMPACT SEDAN?
I'm against Proton producing so MANY models of basically the same compact sedan/hatch car, without giving due attention to the above 2.0L and MPV market.


Proton not dont want to focus on the MPV or 2.0 car model...it jz because it will cost a lot if proton design a new car model especially to change the car moult. Basically proton car like proton BLM is used the same moult like proton savvy, so it can save the cost and produce a cheaper car...
Beside tat, now the market will focus to the sedan car which can save petrol, as we know the petrol price is increase every year, if proton still produce a big car 2.0L above, i think proton really digging big hole for himself...because no market...
What is more, proton lack of technology in big car which is more than 2.0L or MPV, it will cost a lot to do research and testing, it is no point to release a new big car model but will create a lot of technical problem after release...maintenance problem...
mayb proton can release a big car such as MPV, but not now...after the company recieved profit.

Anonymous said...

yea.. Proton is a indeed disappointment for its interiors and exteriors.. like the persona.. fuk it.. juz a bigger boot and almost similar as Gen2 makes it something a malaysian to be proud of? i felt ashamed..

But I still nid to admit i was quite impress with the BLM for its design.. juz compare the old saga and the BLM.. its a total make over! but still.. its juz another imitate of foreign cars like its boot.. looks like Honda City if u ask me.. I'm still not sure of the quality of the seats.. chances of being inferior PVC seats are rather high..

Lets juz hope Proton improvises and see how a lousy work they had done in the past.. not to mention being proud of their lousiness.. :P