SUBANG JAYA: National carmaker, Proton Holdings Bhd hopes to further improve the quality of cars by working closely with vendors on the supplied parts that make up their cars.
“The vendors play an important role in the quality of our cars because when something goes wrong with a supplied part, it’s usually Proton that gets the blame,” said Proton chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad after flagging off the “Drive For Gaza” fundraising initiative at the company’s centre of excellence complex, here, yesterday.
“I believe they have the capability to make good components but sometimes we end up with poorly made components,” he said.
Tun Mahathir added that Proton will check on types of material used and not just the prototype component but subsequent production batches. Vendors that do not meet the criteria will be terminated.
Commenting on Proton’s upcoming energy-efficient vehicle (EEV), Tun Mahathir said the company is making progress and hopes to launch it sometime before the end of the year.
Commenting on the research and development funding, he said that due to the nature of an automotive manufacturer, Proton spends a lot on research and development and hopes that the goverment will extend some support.
At present, Proton is funding its research and development from its own pockets and he says the goverment should reimburse Proton for what it has spent because it affects the company’s income.
Proton chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah said that apart from the upcoming EEV, the carmaker is looking into various technologies including both hybrids and electric.
The fundraising drive will involve teams of Suprima S driven by Proton’s Roving Team, driven all around the country sporting the “Drive For Gaza” liveries in order to create awareness and encourage contributions from the public.
The public can also donate via donation boxes which will be placed in all 221 Proton sales outlets and 270 service outlets nationwide.
For those who wish to donate via cheque, contributions must be made under the name “Perdana Global Peace Foundation” and sent to Proton’s Group Communications at Proton Holdings Bhd, Centre of Excellence KM33.8 Westbound Shah Alam Expressway, 47600 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, or banked into Perdana Global Peace Foundation's Maybank account No. 5641 0041 5711.