Proton Refutes Utusan Report On Lower Car Prices

PETALING JAYA: National car company, Proton Edar Sdn Bhd has denied Malay daily Utusan Malaysia’s report of lower car prices.

In a letter widely circulated on Facebook, Proton’s Head of Network Planning and Development Dvision Salawati Mohd Yusoff said that Utusan did not obtain the car manufacturer’s approval before publishing the report.

“We also did not provide any of the figures mentioned,” said Salawati.

She however said that the reduced car prices published by Utusan Malaysia referred to the “discounts offered by Proton Edar”.

Three days ago, the Umno-owned daily reported that the government is fulfilling its promise to slash car prices by announcing that 10 car models’ price would be reduced.

Utusan reported that among the car makers involved in the price reduction were Peugeot, Volkswagen, Perodua, Honda and Proton.

However, online media The Malaysian Insider today reported that Volkswagen and Peugeot have also refuted the daily’s report.

“Please be advised, the price on the image is incorrect. The (Volkswagen) Golf price has always been RM157,888 from the time of launch. Not RM169,888 as reported,” a representative from Volkswagen Malaysia was reported saying.

Peugeot Malaysia also clarified Utusan’s report, saying its 308 Vti’s RM102,888 price is not a discounted price but has always been the price tag for the vehicle.

Honda also was reported saying that its Honda Jazz Hybrid had always been priced at RM89,900 since its launch last year.

Salawati, in her letter, advised her sales team to inform customers of the discounts via its 1Malaysia June Sales Campaign Memos.

“And you will notice, based on the discounts that we offer, the percentage is actually bigger than those quoted in the newspaper,” she said.

She urged Proton Edar’s sales team to look at the bright side of the report as it would show that Proton was in favour of the government’s initiative to reduce car prices.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to eradicate the wait and see approach by consumers and get them to buy a new car now,” she said.

Source: FreeMalaysiaToday